Congressman Guthrie asks Senate Democrats to keep government open

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie issued a statement ahead of a government shutdown, which is set to begin at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on October 1, barring Democrat action in the Senate.

“Earlier this month, House Republicans came together to pass a clean Continuing Resolution to temporarily fund the government and avoid a lapse in government funding. If Democrats in the Senate fail to act by midnight, the shutdown will be on their hands,” said Congressman Guthrie. “Rather than pass a clean temporary funding bill, Democrats have instead proposed an alternate spending plan with unrelated provisions that would cost taxpayers roughly $1.5 trillion. It’s beyond time that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle stand up to radicals in their party and vote to keep the government open. The American people deserve better.”

According to Congressman Guthrie, in March, Congress passed and President Trump signed a Continuing Resolution (CR) into law, which temporarily funded the government through September 30, 2025, at fiscal year 2024 levels. On September 19, the House of Representatives passed a nearly identical CR, which would fund the government at the same levels through November 21, 2025, with Congressman Guthrie’s support. 

Congressman Guthrie says on September 19, the Senate Democrats blocked the passage of the CR as the bill required a 60-vote majority to advance. Congressman Guthrie says on September 18, Democrats in the Senate introduced an alternative spending plan that includes provisions such as:

• Provide free taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants
• Fund global climate initiatives in foreign countries
• Eliminate the $50 billion rural health fund

Congressman Guthrie says if Senate Democrats fail to join their Republican colleagues by midnight on September 30, the government will shut down.