Golden votes to extend government funding through December 4

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted in favor of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded until December 4, preventing a risk of government shutdown on October 1. 

The CR contains no major changes to federal policies, programs or current spending levels. The bill passed the House Tuesday night in a 220-205 vote.

“It is unusual to pass a CR this far ahead of a funding deadline, but the reality is the House and Senate are far away from a deal to keep government funded and, with an election coming up, the risk of political gamesmanship is high,” Golden said. “This CR will give us space to continue negotiating an appropriations deal while removing the incentive for either party to hold the government hostage in an attempt to score electoral points.”

Golden has a long history of voting to avoid government shutdowns because of the harm they cause. This past winter, a lapse in appropriations triggered the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. As a result, millions of federal workers missed paychecks, travelers experienced long delays, food assistance benefits for needy families were disrupted and core public health and food safety programs were paused. 

A government shutdown in October would affect the more than 11,000 federal employees in Maine and could force Acadia National Park to close. 

The CR now heads to the Senate for consideration. 

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