Cole Statement on Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the Senate's failure to engage in budget negotiations with the House in order to avert a government shutdown. Due to Senate inaction, many government agencies closed on October 1.

"Today is an unfair day for America and one that could have been avoided," said Cole. "While the House has worked tirelessly to propose fair solutions, the Senate has refused to consider a compromise in any form. Now we are all suffering the consequences of government shutdown, including the furlough of more than 800,000 federal workers.

"The House passed three temporary spending measures to keep the government running, including proposals that would defund Obamacare, delay implementation of the law for a year or delay the individual mandate for a year. Our economy is broken, and shutting down the government is making it worse. It is critical that leaders from both chambers work together to resolve the situation and find meaningful long-term solutions to our growing deficit, especially as we near another deadline with the debt ceiling. We must unite, acting swiftly and with great urgency."

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