Van Hollen Statement on Intent to Vote No on Funding Bill

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on his intent to vote against the government funding bill that is expected to be considered on the Senate floor this evening:

“I have voted seven times for a responsible funding agreement to end the shameful Republican shutdown, hold the president accountable to the law, and prevent health care costs from skyrocketing for tens of millions of Americans. I am prepared to work toward a compromise, but this funding bill before us tonight does not come close to meeting those terms. Not only does it fail to address the impending explosion in working Americans’ health insurance costs, it also lacks the necessary guardrails to stop President Trump from ignoring the law and withholding funds for important priorities. That is why I am voting NO.

“Should this bill become law, the Administration must follow the law that Senator Cardin and I passed after the first Trump shutdown to ensure all federal employees receive the full backpay they are owed once the government reopens. We must also continue working to pass my legislation guaranteeing backpay to federal contractors – from maintenance and custodial staff to construction and security workers. Like federal civil servants, these workers had nothing to do with causing this Republican shutdown, and likewise do not deserve to bear the brunt of it. I will continue working to support our federal workers and stand up to this Administration’s attacks on our communities and their disregard for the unacceptable rising costs Americans are facing.”