Carper Statement on Passage of Spending Bill to Keep Government Open for Business

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the Senate passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through Dec. 9, 2016.

“Lurching from one short-term spending bill to the next is hardly an ideal way to govern, but I’m pleased that we were finally able to come together and reach a responsible agreement that will keep our government open for business. The spending measure passed today not only prevents a harmful government shutdown, but also includes important investments that will make a real difference for people in my home state of Delaware and across the country.

“I’m thrilled that this bill makes critical investments in our military infrastructure, including $83 million for the Dover Air Force Base, as well as additional funding to support the Delaware National Guard. This investment will help to ensure the men and women who serve our country at Dover have the resources they need to execute their mission efficiently and effectively. The bill also provides long overdue resources to help combat the Zika virus and protect our families from this threat to our public health.

“While we’ve managed to avoid a crisis for now, I want to remind my colleagues that we were sent to Washington to do much more than simply keep the lights on. Instead of patting ourselves on the back and immediately adjourning, we should be addressing the rest of our unfinished business, like protecting our military and veteran students, filling the seven-month vacancy on the Supreme Court and passing a comprehensive, long-term budget plan. When we do return after the election, we must get serious about tackling these issues and doing the jobs that the American people hired us to do.”