For 11th Time Since Beginning of New Congress, Loebsack Votes to Fund and Reopen the Government

Statement

Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after he and his democratic colleagues again passed a bill to end the reckless shutdown and get the government working on behalf of the American people. Today's vote marks the 11th time the US House has voted on legislation to reopen the government since the beginning of the 116th Congress. This bill now heads to the Senate, where Leader McConnell has refused to consider any legislation passed by the House to fund the government, including bills the Senate had previously passed unanimously or by large bipartisan margins.

"Across the state, Iowans are feeling the very real economic impact of the shutdown. The decision by the White House and Senate Leader McConnell to shut down the government is wreaking havoc on Iowan's financial security. Our farmers can't process loans or get assistance for the upcoming planting season. Food safety inspections have ground to a halt. The Small Business Administration has stopped disbursing loans to small business. Restaurants and businesses near federal land, such as the Herbert Hoover Library in West Branch, are seeing less business and are losing money. The people of Iowa don't deserve this unnecessary economic hardship," said Loebsack.

"For over a month now, portions of the government have been needlessly shut down because of political games and, as of tomorrow, over 800,000 government workers face missing their second pay check. Congress must put aside the games and work to reopen the government. Hardworking Iowans cannot afford to be caught in the middle of the White House and Senator McConnell's games. It is beyond unacceptable that we are in the position in the first place, and the fact that it has now lasted over a month is shameful. This shutdown must end!"

Since the beginning of the 116th Congress there have been 11 votes in the House to reopen the government and fund key agencies. Loebsack has supported each of these bills.

* Jan 3 -- passed a package of six appropriations bills that have all previously either passed the Senate with unanimous or overwhelming bipartisan support.
* Jan 3 -- passed legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb 8, giving the president and Congressional leadership time to negotiate a compromise on border security while reopening our government.
* Jan 9 -- passed legislation to fund the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service.
* Jan 10 -- passed legislation to fund the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.
* Jan 10 -- passed legislation to fund the Departments of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other key agencies
* Jan 11 -- passed legislation to fund the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Interior.
* Jan 15 -- voted to end the shutdown and fund the government through Feb 1.
* Jan 16 -- passed legislation to end the shutdown and fund the government through Feb 8.
* Jan 23 -- passed legislation to end the shutdown and fund the government through Feb 28.
* Jan 23 -- passed legislation to end the shutdown, support effective border security measures and fund the government through Sept. 30.
* Jan 24 -- passed legislation to reopen Department of Homeland Security through Feb 28

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