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Cole Statement on Government Shutdown

January 20, 2018

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the Senate failed to pass the continuing resolution legislation that would continue government operations and funding, the Children's Health Insurance Program funding and military funding. The failure to pass has resulted in a government shutdown.

"History shows that government shutdowns never work," said Cole. "The party and the people who provoke them are roundly condemned by the public. You can never win when you make the American people lose.
"It is a shocking and disgraceful decision by Senate Democrats to shut down the government of the United States in order to extract concessions in key negotiations. And it is both shameful and unacceptable. I applaud President Trump for not negotiating on immigration until the government reopens. It is my hope that Democrats will come to their senses and put the best interests of the American people and the security of the United States ahead of partisan objectives.
"In the meantime, I will stay in Washington, D.C., working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle until the government is fully functional and the normal legislative process resumes."
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