January 22, 2018

Duckworth Statement on Vote to End Government Shutdown

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after voting to end the government shutdown:

“The Pentagon is not shy about how much short-term budgeting measures damage our Armed Forces and military readiness. It has become painfully obvious—not only during this preventable shutdown but throughout the entire last year—that Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan are either unable or unwilling to lead the nation or compromise.

“This is not an ideal outcome nor do I believe it is helpful for the troops downrange who deserve better, but I voted yes today because I believe this agreement will give those of us in the middle—including the 12 Senate Republicans who are taking a stand against the President’s extremist hard line—the time we need not just to find a deal that protects Dreamers, but one that also provides the full-year certainty our military is asking for, provides critical resources for our Veterans, funds community health centers and fulfills our promise to millions of pensioners in Illinois.”