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Congressman Cohen Reacts to Possible Government Shutdown

January 19, 2018

Says Republican dysfunction will cause unnecessary hardship

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) is monitoring talks between House and Senate leaders and the White House aimed at averting a government shutdown at midnight tonight and made the following statement:

"It's a shame that Republican leaders can't find a way to negotiate a solution to a looming government shutdown by compromising on extending heath care for millions of children. The program is popular – including with most Republicans – so that kind of compromise would be a win for all. Instead we wait. While Senate Leader McConnell has stated that he is still waiting to learn what President Trump wants in the Continuing Resolution, the Democrats have come to the table clearly stating their priorities. The Republicans cannot get their Houses in order and are failing at governance, despite the fact that Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House.

"Even if the government does shut down, my offices will be open to do whatever we can, under the circumstances, for the citizens of the Ninth District. Nonetheless, many federal offices will be short staffed or closed entirely. I'm astonished to read that the Department of Health and Human Services has plans to furlough half its staff and suspend the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's influenza program just as the flu season reaches its peak. This is counterproductive and makes no sense.

"I also want to assure my constituents that unfinished work on the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), community health centers, the opioid crisis and more money for veterans programs, and children brought to this country by their parents are my priorities. The continued dysfunction is harmful to our country. I pledge to you that I'm doing everything to resolve this as painlessly as possible."