Durbin: We Must Work In Good Faith To Fund The Government. Time Is Of The Essence.

09.23.24

Durbin: We Must Work In Good Faith To Fund The Government. Time Is Of The Essence.

In speech on the Senate Floor, Durbin expresses his support for the bipartisan funding agreement to avoid a government shutdown

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to offer his support for the bipartisan funding agreement that was reached over the weekend to fund the government through December 20, preventing a shutdown from occurring on October 1. In his speech, Durbin expressed his frustration at the broken funding process, which has led to repeated threats of a shutdown every year.

"We're one week away from the deadline to fund the government. It is an embarrassment that we return again and again to this precipice, realizing full-well the disaster that shutting down the government creates for our nation," began Durbin. "Yet, the House of Representatives goes through these contortions every time, ultimately giving in to common sense and funding the government - at least temporarily."

"I was relieved to hear last night that there was a bipartisan funding agreement reached after days of negotiations, one that maintains current funding through December 20 and avoids a government shutdown a month before the election," Durbin said.

Durbin then highlighted the key provisions in the agreement, including measures to allow Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center to remain open.

"Thankfully, the agreement includes several necessary provisions related to extending veterans benefits, including one that enables the only joint DoD-VA facility in the country… Lovell, located in North Chicago in my home state, to continue providing health care to service members and veterans alike," Durbin said. "We were just hours away from the possibility of suspending basic life-saving services at the Lovell [Health Care Center] for our veterans."

Durbin continued his speech, calling out his House colleagues for failing to take seriously one of Congress' most critical tasks - funding the government. In an attempt to restrict voting rights, Speaker Mike Johnson called for a vote on a funding bill that included the SAVE Act. The vote ultimately failed, the measure neglecting to earn full support from the Speaker's own party.

"I'm pleased this bipartisan negotiation led to an agreement free of poison pills and partisan cuts, but it should have happened a long time ago," Durbin said. "Unfortunately, many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle think that funding the government is a partisan bargaining chip, and not one of the most essential tasks in Congress."

"Just last week, the House rejected Speaker Johnson's partisan government funding plan that would have pushed our job to fund the government until next March, in 2025. A half-year delay was being proposed by the Republicans in the House. It was no surprise that this unserious funding plan did not pass. Not only did Democrats vote against, 14 members of the Speaker's own party opposed it," Durbin said. "He forced a vote anyway, wasting precious time on a proposal even his own caucus questioned."

Durbin went on to urge his colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to work together to ensure the funding agreement is passed this week with bipartisan support.

"Now, time is of the essence. If both sides and both chambers continue to work in good faith, we can fund the government through December 20 with actions this week, before the September 30 deadline. But it will take cooperation from both chambers. I hope we can find it," Durbin said.

Video of Durbin's remarks on the floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin's remarks on the floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin's remarks on the floor is available herefor TV Stations.

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