Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) again helped pass legislation to end the shutdown and keep communities safe with effective border security measures. The legislation is a package of six appropriations bills resulting from a House-Senate compromise agreed upon last year. It also includes language ensuring federal employees who are working without pay or who have been furloughed receive back pay. This is the 10th vote Congresswoman Bustos has taken to open the government so TSA agents, federal prison workers, border patrol and other federal employees can be paid for their time on the job.
“There’s absolutely no reason why workers should go without pay while Congress and the White House negotiate policy,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “We cannot have a government shutdown every time there is a political disagreement – this dysfunction is unacceptable and it’s not how the American people expect us to govern.
“The legislation we passed today would end this reckless shutdown and includes funding for more than $1.6 billion in effective measures to keep Americans safe. Mitch McConnell and the president could end this crisis today – it’s time they realize the human cost of this shutdown, open the government and pay workers immediately.”
The funding legislation Congresswoman Bustos helped pass today includes more than $1.6 billion to keep communities safe – including funding for more immigration judges at the border, investments in ports of entry infrastructure and assistance to Central America. Congresswoman Bustos also outlined a four-point plan to help keep communities safe in a recent op-ed – you can read more about that plan by clicking here.
Just this month, Congresswoman Bustos has voted 10 times to end the shutdown, open the government and keep families safe:
Jan. 3 – Congresswoman Bustos helped pass a package of six appropriations bills that have all previously either passed the Senate with unanimous or overwhelming bipartisan support.
Jan. 3 – Congresswoman Bustos helped pass legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through February 8 – giving the president and Congressional leadership time to negotiate a compromise on border security while reopening our government.
Jan. 9 – Congresswoman Bustos helped pass legislation to fund the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service.
Jan. 10 – Congresswoman Bustos helped pass legislation to fund the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.
Jan. 10 – Congresswoman Bustos helped pass legislation to fund the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and other key agencies.
Jan. 11 – Congresswoman Bustos helped pass legislation to fund the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Interior.
Jan. 15 – Congresswoman Bustos voted to end the shutdown and fund the government through Feb. 1.
Jan. 16 – Congresswoman Bustos helped pass legislation to end the shutdown and fund the government through Feb. 8.
Jan. 23 – Congresswoman Bustos helped pass legislation to end the shutdown and fund the government through Feb. 28.
Jan. 23 – Congresswoman Bustos helped pass legislation to end the shutdown, support effective border security measures and fund the government through Sept. 30.
***Report Courtesy of Congresswoman Bustos***
