CNBC. March 14, 2025: Senate passes GOP funding bill to avert a government shutdown
Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) all oppose the continuing resolution (CR). The CR would keep the government running for the rest of the fiscal year without an actual budget bill being passed.
Sanders today released the following statement regarding his upcoming vote on the continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House of Representatives:
Since President Trump has been in office we have seen chaos, shock and heartbreak. We have seen oligarchs take over our government and the wealthiest person in the world decimate programs that provide support for a struggling working class – including massive cuts for the Veterans Administration, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Education.
We have seen a move toward authoritarianism where the president is illegally usurping the powers of Congress, while his administration challenges the role of the federal courts in constraining unconstitutional administrative actions.
The continuing resolution passed Tuesday in the U.S. House will provide a blank check for the administration and Mr. Musk to continue their savage war against working families, the elderly, children, the sick and the poor in order to lay the groundwork for massive tax breaks for the billionaire class. This legislation will also provide a green light for the administration to continue its illegal and unconstitutional activities.
This is a bill I cannot support. Instead, the Senate must pass a 30-day CR so that all Members of Congress, not just the House Republican leadership, can come together and produce legislation that works for all Americans, not just the few.
U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Will Vote No
“I cannot support this Continuing Resolution. Congressional Republicans’ CR will hurt Vermont families, veterans, businesses, and farmers by making drastic cuts and blocking Congress’ ability to respond to Trump’s reckless tariffs. This CR cedes Congress’s constitutionally granted power of the purse and makes a mockery of the budget process. A Continuing Resolution is supposed to maintain the status quo as annual budget negotiations continue. This bill gives license to Donald Trump and Elon Musk to continue their lawless rampage by redirecting federal funding as they see fit, with acquiescence from House Republicans. As a Democrat, I want the federal government to work—not to shut down. Republicans need to come back to the table and pass the clean one-month CR that allows budget negotiations to continue.”
Senate Democrats face major dilemma: help GOP pass a funding bill or trigger a shutdown
Rep. Becca Balint Votes No
Rep. Becca Balint released the following statement on Tuesday on the Republican continuing resolution, which lacks critical guardrails to protect our institutions against President Trump’s attempts to dismantle the government:
“This bill is another gift to Elon Musk and Donald Trump - giving them a pretense to further strip our checks and balances until Trump is truly a king. It does nothing to help working people - in fact, it jeopardizes Social Security, food assistance and reneges on veterans’ medical care. Republicans have ignored the basic necessities and responsibilities of government. This bill would leave us without enough funding for disaster relief or essential infrastructure projects. If Republicans were serious about meeting the needs of Americans, they would have come to the negotiating table.”
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2025 – Delegation
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
