WASHINGTON – North Dakota Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer issued statements after the Senate defeat of a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Nov. 21.

“Throughout this year, we have taken a bipartisan approach to the annual appropriations process in the Senate, with the bills we’ve advanced so far receiving broad support from both parties in committee and on the Senate floor,” Hoeven said. “Senate Democrats have decided to suspend this process and force a shutdown over a list of partisan demands totaling more than $1 trillion. During President Biden’s term, Congress passed 13 clean CRs, with 96 percent of Democrats voting in support of those bills, so why are they not willing to join us in passing a clean, short-term continuing resolution now? This would keep the government funded and give us time to finish our appropriations work under regular order.”

“Instead of voting to keep the government open and protect services their constituents rely on, Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats prefer to make Americans suffer to score political points,” Cramer said. “These major health care policy changes Senate Democrats are demanding should be negotiated through the legislative process, not a short-term continuing resolution. Their wish list of demands is not serious and is an act of extortion at the expense of troops, border patrol agents, farmers, and the very Americans we represent. The Schumer Shutdown was caused by Democrats, and Democrats alone. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can come to their senses, put their partisan games aside, and pass a clean continuing resolution funding the government.”