Golden votes for Continuing Resolution to avoid government shutdown

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted today in favor of a seven-month Continuing Resolution, or “CR,”  to fund the government and avoid a harmful government shutdown. 

Without a new spending agreement in place, government funding is scheduled to lapse on March 14. In a shutdown, the president would have broad discretion to halt government services and furlough federal employees. 

“This CR is not perfect, but a shutdown would be worse,” Golden said. “Even a brief shutdown would introduce even more chaos and uncertainty at a time when our country can ill-afford it. Funding the government is our most basic obligation as members of Congress. My vote today reflects my commitment to making tough choices and doing my job for the people of Maine.”

The CR includes several defense-related provisions Golden fought for on the House Armed Services Committee, such as $7.951 billion for DDG-51 funding, which accommodates a third ship in FY25, slated to be built at Bath Iron Works; $83.2 million in advance procurement funding for DDG-51s in FY26; and funding to provide junior enlisted members of the Armed Services their biggest pay raise in 40 years. 

The CR also includes:

• increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Transportation Security Administration;
• increased funding for disaster relief;
• increased funding for operational expenses at national parks, including Acadia; 
• extended telehealth flexibility for Medicare; and
• advance funding for state Medicaid grants and Aging and Disability Services Programs.

Overall, the CR increases overall defense spending by $6 billion while cutting nondefense spending by $13 billion, relative to current spending levels.

Golden also pushed back against Democratic Party messaging gimmicks related to the CR, particularly the claim by some Democrats that the CR cut funding for veterans, based on the CR not including advance funding for the next fiscal year.

“There are no cuts to veterans care in the period covered by this bill, and we have six months to ensure funding continues into the next fiscal year,” Golden said. “To say this bill contains cuts is, at best, a misreading that creates unnecessary fear among veterans. At worst, it’s the adoption of the same cynical GOP political tactics that Democrats have rightfully denounced — using misdirection to justify a vote. This may seem politically expedient, but it only lowers us to a level we shouldn’t accept.” 

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