Arkansas senators urge national leaders to make budget deal in advance of shutdown

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A letter signed by 24 of the 35 Arkansas state senators on Monday is urging the passage of a short-term funding bill to avoid a government shutdown.

The U.S. government shutdown will take place at one minute after midnight on Wednesday unless a budget deal is met in the Senate. As of Monday afternoon, both sides are reportedly at a standoff.

The letter asks the senators to pass the same short-term funding bill that passed the U.S. House, pointing out that it did so “with bipartisan support.”

“From impacting pay for our troops, first responders, and firefighters to affecting critical services for seniors and veterans and disrupting food assistance for families in need, a government shutdown would inflict severe consequences on the American people that are completely avoidable,” the letter states.

It continues to state that “Senate Democrats” are the ones who should support the House legislation. It praises the fairness of the House bill and says a shutdown should not be used “as political leverage to pass partisan reforms.”

The Senate bill is stalled as that body does not have a large enough Republican majority to pass it. Democrats are holding out for funding reforms to provide healthcare access.

The letter was addressed to the U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), as well as the Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), and Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Illinois).

The first signers on the letter are Arkansas Senate Majority Leader Blake Johnson (R-21) and President Pro Tempore Bart Hester (R-33).