U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) said they are voting to keep the government open amidst a possible shut down Tuesday night.
Lawmakers across the country are voting on the clean continuing resolution (CR), which will work to fund the government and keep it up and running. Senators Capito and Justice shared statements regarding their stances on the situation.
“Tonight, I proudly cast my vote again to do right by West Virginians—to keep the government open and ensure the critical services that many rely on can continue to operate. Shutdowns are unnecessary and costly, especially to small businesses and federal employees in West Virginia and across the country,” Senator Capito said. “Sadly, Senate Democrats chose to play politics instead of working with us to get the 60 votes needed in the Senate to prevent a government shutdown. What makes this even more frustrating is that under President Biden and Senator Schumer’s leadership, Senate Democrats voted for 13 clear short-term funding bills. Now, they’re refusing to support an identical measure. The American people will unfortunately now bear the consequences. I call on my Democrat colleagues to set aside partisanship and join Republicans in keeping the government open.”
“This shouldn’t be a food fight,” Senator Justice said in his own statement. “Senate Republicans put forward a clean bill to keep the government open: a bill similar to what Democrats have voted for 13 times in the past. Now, West Virginians will face the fallout of a Democrat forced government shutdown all over political demands. This is not negotiating, this is plain and simple political sabotage at the expense of the American people. In West Virginia, we have always done what’s right: we mind the store, put our people first, and use common sense to make decisions. It is time for Democrats to stop the games and work with us to reopen the government.”