Rep. Fleischmann comments on House bill vote to keep government open

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Latest on the debate over immigration and the budget (all times local):

7:38 p.m.

The House has passed a temporary government-wide funding bill that would avert a government shutdown this weekend.

The measure still faces iffy prospects in the Senate, where Democrats are poised to block it in hopes of spurring slow-moving talks on immigration.

The measure would keep the government running through Feb. 16. The government faces a partial shutdown at midnight Friday, an outcome both sides say they want to avoid but one that seems increasingly possible.

The 230-197 vote came after an influential bloc of House conservatives won promises of future action on separate legislation to bolster the military and tighten immigration laws. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows announced the group’s support after talks with House GOP leaders and President Donald Trump.

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement upon voting in support of the Continuing Resolution (CR) which will keep the government open until February 16, 2018:

“This evening I voted for the Continuing Resolution (CR) to prevent a government shutdown and allow Congress to continue work on our 2018 legislative agenda. Most importantly, this legislation will provide necessary funding for our military and their mission to keep our nation safe from international and domestic threats. In addition, my vote for this stop-gap measure was a vote for the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which directly impacts the well-being of children in Tennessee and across the United States. Finally, the House Appropriations Committee worked hard to pass all 12 government funding bills, and a government shutdown would have a detrimental impact on an extensive array of federal programs that rely on government funding. It is my hope that we can reach a budget agreement in the near future to prevent these inefficient short term solutions, but right now I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act quickly and approve this resolution so that we can keep the government open and continue working for the American people.”