[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 34 (Monday, February 26, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           Government Funding

  Mr. SCHUMER. So, Madam President, the Senate gavels back into session 
with a lot that Congress must do, but with little time to act. In less 
than a week, the Federal Government will begin to shut down unless both 
sides--both sides--work together to extend funding.
  Meanwhile, the moral obligation from Congress to help the people of 
Ukraine and fortify our own national security grows heavier with each 
passing day, and it is imperative that we make real progress in the 
coming weeks toward our ultimate goal of finishing the appropriations 
process. These are just a few of the tasks facing Congress as winter 
turns to spring. The margin for error on any of these is razor thin; 
and, unfortunately, the temptation to choose chaos and disorder, 
instead of cooperation, will be strong for some here in the Capitol.
  By now, it is clear that when serious-minded Democrats and serious-
minded Republicans engage each other with a desire to get things done, 
with a desire to get to ``yes,'' good things happen, even in divided 
government: We avoid shutdowns; we invest in the American people; we 
make our country stronger.
  The Senate ended the last work period with a powerful example of 
bipartisanship by a resounding 70 votes passing the national security 
supplemental. It wasn't easy to get it done. But now that we succeeded, 
it should serve as a model for both Chambers moving forward.
  Over the recess, negotiators in both Chambers continued the difficult 
work of the appropriations process. While we have made some good 
progress on a number of fronts, unfortunately, our House Republican 
colleagues are still struggling to figure themselves out. There is a 
lot of uncertainty over how the House will proceed in the coming days. 
So I ask all Senators to keep their schedules flexible.
  Now, Senate Democrats have been crystal clear: We want to avoid a 
government shutdown. We want to work with all our House counterparts to 
spare the American people the pain that a shutdown would bring. But for 
that to happen, Congressional leadership must resist the centrifugal 
pull of extremism emanating from the hard right. We must resist basing 
our choices on what people like Donald Trump want Congress to do. We 
need to remember our responsibility to the American people and do our 
jobs.
  Even a partial shutdown would mean chaos and pain for the American 
people. And let me just list a few examples of why that is true: A 
shutdown of the Agriculture Department would threaten higher food costs 
for all Americans, threaten critical services for farmers in rural 
communities--from homeownership programs to food banks--and delay 
access to critical programs just as spring is arriving. A shutdown of 
the Veterans Administration would close our veteran outreach offices 
and thereby freeze critical programs that support our Nation's heroes, 
those who risked their lives for us. A shutdown of the Housing 
Department would leave American families high and dry without key 
federal housing loan support, potentially causing rent and housing 
prices to spike. A shutdown of the Transportation Department would risk 
travel delays and traveler safety by freezing the hiring of air traffic 
controllers--as, Madam President, you well know.
  This is just the tip of the iceberg. A shutdown would also throw a 
wrench into our economic recovery and would raise costs just as 
inflation has returned closer to normal levels. It would make 
communities less safe.
  I am hopeful--hopeful--that pragmatic Republicans will engage in 
responsible governing by working with Democrats to avoid a shutdown 
this week. Senate Democrats want to do the right thing and keep the 
government open. I hope the House continues to work with us in good 
faith to make that happen. But time is short. Time is short.