Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: The Bipartisan Shutdown Solution

We are into the third week of the Schumer Shutdown.  It’s shameful that Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats are holding government funding hostage for political gain.  This is a Schumer Shutdown.

Don’t take my word for it.  Chuck Schumer himself said this shutdown is for his political benefit.  Recently, Chuck Schumer told journalists that, during the shutdown, “Every day gets better for us.”

Better for who?  Certainly not for those Nebraskans who are missing their paychecks.  Certainly not for Nebraskans whose services are delayed and disrupted.  Certainly not the American people.

Senate Republicans don’t think this is “better” for Americans who are worried about the uncertainty a shutdown causes.  We have supported and are supporting the only bipartisan solution to this Schumer Shutdown.  That’s passing a clean continuing resolution.

Passing a “Clean CR” is what Senate Republicans and three Senate Democrats have voted to support.  We’ve voted for it ten times this month.

Democrats have supported these exact spending levels four times in the past eighteen months.  But not this time.  This time, they are supporting a Schumer Shutdown.

Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats are the only ones insisting that the federal government stays closed because it is “better” for them.  The Clean CR is already a bipartisan compromise.  It is a bipartisan funding deal struck during the Biden administration.  We agreed to it when Senate Republicans were in the minority.

Clean means there are no partisan additions.  There are no partisan policies or changes.  It simply keeps the government funded at the same level as before.  That gives Congress time to continue the normal process passing appropriations bills.

Despite Chuck Schumer shutting down government, Senate Republicans are continuing to work for the American people.  Last week, we confirmed 107 qualified nominees.  This includes Lesley Woods, our U.S. Attorney for Nebraska.  We stopped 3 burdensome Biden-era regulations restricting land use.  These regulations would have prevented us from using our resources to lower costs for Nebraskans.

We also passed a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).  This legislative package funds the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and other critical national security programs.  It authorizes $924.7 billion for national defense next year.  It gives a 3.8% pay raise to our servicemembers.  The NDAA includes my AUKUS Improvement Act.  This Act will strengthen military cooperation between the U.S., Australia, and the United Kingdom.  This will help deter Communist China.  It includes an important review of U.S.-China science and technology agreements.

The NDAA also includes a provision designed to enable local communities to support defense healthcare facility development.  This is modeled after a bill by Senator Fischer.  It imitates the successful Omaha Ambulatory Care Center.  Plus, it contains funding for programs at Offutt Air Force Base and Nebraska-based Sentinel nuclear missiles.  We are ensuring our military has the tools it needs to deter adversaries like Communist China and keep Americans safe.

Finally, we passed the Road to Housing Act.  This landmark legislation puts America on a path to make home ownership a possibility for all Americans.  The Act includes my Rural Housing Service Reform Act, which offers loans, grants, and rental assistance to rural communities.  While Chuck Schumer wants to keep the government closed, Senate Republicans are continuing to do the work of governing this country.

When Americans face a problem, we work together to find a solution.  Refusing to pay bills, furloughing workers, and withholding pay from federal law enforcement make the challenge worse.

Chuck Schumer doesn’t want debate.  He doesn’t want to work toward a solution.  Chuck Schumer isn’t a leader, he’s a hypocrite.  But Chuck Schumer doesn’t care, because for him, it’s “better.”

Throughout the duration of the shutdown, my team and I are here to serve you.  My offices remain open in Scottsbluff, Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha, and Washington, D.C.  Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224.  You can also view my website at  www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact