Spanberger Statement on Vote to Prevent “Reckless” Government Shutdown, Protect Virginia’s Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after voting with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House to pass a short-term, stopgap funding measure — known as a “continuing resolution” — to keep the federal government open and avoid a shutdown that would damage Virginia’s economy. The legislation now goes to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

“Government shutdowns are always bad for Virginia’s workforce and economy. Even the mere threat of a shutdown creates massive uncertainty and worry for Virginia’s thousands of federal workers, military families, small businesses, and contractors. On their behalf, I’m relieved that both Democrats and Republicans took this necessary step to avoid an economic calamity for our Commonwealth. However, we have only kicked the can down the road until March.

“We are long overdue to end this cycle of political games, half measures, and Groundhog Day funding practices. We need to fund our government in a responsible way, so that Congress can tackle its long to-do list: supporting Ukraine in its fight for its freedom, securing America’s southern border, passing the Farm Bill, providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, supporting our Israeli allies in their fight against terrorism, and addressing the raging fentanyl crisis in our communities.

“In the coming weeks, I will be pressing my colleagues — particularly Speaker Johnson — to ignore the small faction of lawmakers who want chaos. The Virginians I serve want a functioning government, not theatrics.”

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