Blumenthal Statement on Passage of Spending Bill to Avert Partial Government Shutdown & Protect Progress on Social Safety Net, Infrastructure Priorities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate voted to approve a spending bill to avert of a partial government shutdown:

“This bipartisan spending bill does a lot more than just keep the lights on. After months of dithering and delay, this bill gives federal agencies the ability to plan for the future and better serve the American people.”

“This bill is a compromise. It includes provisions I have strongly opposed. But, on balance, I believe that the benefits of this measure outweigh its infirmities. The compelling lesson here – hopefully taken to heart by every House Republican – is that Americans are best served by bipartisan cooperation and not radical political hostage-taking.”

The measure approved last night funds programs overseen by six appropriations bills: Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

Among other things, the funding package:

1. Fully funds WIC and protects essential benefits for nearly 7 million women and children nationwide, including more than forty-seven thousand Connecticut participants;
2. Promotes aviation safety by directing the FAA to prioritize surveillance of aircraft production and manufacturing activities, modernize the notice to air mission (NOTAM) system, and hire new air traffic controllers;
3. Protects vital rental assistance to help millions of households keep a roof over their head and protects key programs to help build more affordable housing;
4. Sustains critical infrastructure programs, like RAISE grants and Northeast Corridor funding, to keep rebuilding America’s roads, bridges, and rail;
5. Rejects drastic cuts to core environmental and conservation programs—and extreme riders that would block progress to tackle the climate crisis;
6. Invests in the resilience of our oceans and coastlines, including more than $1 billion for the National Marine Fisheries Service; funding for coastal management, habitat conservation, and marine sanctuaries,  including $1.25 million for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument
7. Protects children from predators online by including more than $100 million for Missing and Exploited Children Programs;
8. Fully funds veterans’ medical care and benefits—and delivers historic investments to increase mental health services for veterans, help end veteran homelessness, and support women veterans’ health care; and
9. Invests in our small businesses, manufacturing base, and cutting-edge science and technology research.

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