WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday after voting against a White House plan to fund the federal government:

“If this had been a vote to begin debate on a deal to end the shutdown, I would have happily voted yes,” Sen. Lee said. “But this was a vote to end debate on a bill that I believe is fundamentally flawed. In fact, after specifically asking for assurances that we would be allowed to offer amendments, no assurances were given. This bill as is simply does not do enough to reform our immigration system or address the crisis at our southern border.”

“I do believe, however, that our federal workforce should not suffer while this dispute continues. That is why I am co-sponsoring Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-WI) Shutdown Fairness Act, a bill that would ensure essential federal workers are paid during government shutdowns.”

Sen. Lee also still supports the End Government Shutdowns Act, a bill that would end government shutdowns by creating an automatic continuing resolution for any regular appropriations bill not completed before existing spending authority runs out.

Communications Director
Conn Carroll
Conn_Carroll@lee.senate.gov
(202) 224-5444

Press Assistant
Erik Kujanpaa
Erik_Kujanpaa@lee.senate.gov
(202) 224-5444