Republicans Vote for Government Shutdown Five Days before Christmas

WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) issued the following statement after opposing the Republican border wall funding bill, which passed by a vote of 217-185:

“Last week, President Trump said he was happy to shut the government down. Tonight, House Republicans are doubling down on this irresponsible course of action. As frustrating as funding the government with stopgap measures can be, Senators at least came together in a bipartisan manner last night to keep the government open for seven more weeks. This wall funding bill is purely partisan, wholly unnecessary, and dead on arrival.

“It is past time for the Republicans in control of both houses of Congress and the presidency to govern responsibly. Sadly, one of Speaker Ryan’s last official acts will be once again caving to the far right wing of his party and pushing government funding to the brink. I can only hope he sees reason and brings the Senate-passed bill up for a vote in the House where it will pass overwhelmingly. If not, President Trump will get the shutdown he wants, and the American people will suffer for it.”