WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) released the following statement after today’s House votes to fund the Head Start for Low-Income Children program, to pay federal employees who are working during the government shutdown on time, and to form a bicameral working group with Senate Democrats in order to reopen the government, address the debt limit in a fiscally responsible manner, and tackle our nation's crushing debt level.

“The House continues to vote to reopen the government by funding critical programs that both parties can agree on, like Head Start. With today’s votes, we have now approved funding to fully reopen more than half of the government.

“Americans are fed up with this shutdown and the gridlock in Washington, and I agree with them. This is why all House Republicans are asking for is a simple conversation. Today, we sent a proposal to the Senate for a working group to start a bipartisan discussion on how we can move forward and address our nation’s challenges in a fiscally responsible manner that does not ignore Washington’s enormous spending problem.

“In divided government, neither side can refuse to sit down and have a serious conversation—it’s unreasonable. Historically, these moments have led to some of our nation’s most effective fiscal triumphs, and I hope we can do this again.”

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