Langevin Votes to Reopen Government

Bills will end Trump shutdown now in its thirteenth day

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) issued the following statement after voting in favor of two bills passed by the House of Representatives that will reopen federal agencies closed due to the Trump shutdown:

“I am proud that our new Democratic majority wasted no time and voted to end the Trump shutdown on the opening day of the legislative session. Two years of one-party rule in Washington have brought us an unprecedented three government shutdowns, and it is past time to reopen our national parks, restore small business loans, and pay the federal law enforcement officers who are working to protect us today without compensation.

“If the President refuses to endorse these bills, all of which have been supported by Senate Republicans, he will only exacerbate the harm he has already inflicted on the American people and our economy. He cannot continue holding hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors hostage over an ineffective border wall that is opposed by the majority of Americans.

“I hope the President will come to his senses and consider the best interests of the American people. The Senate should advance this funding plan, and the President must sign it into law to reopen critical government services and restore much-needed economic certainty.”