Golden votes to keep government open with Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) tonight voted for a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open until March 14, provide disaster relief funding and extend the must-pass Farm Bill for one year. 

The deal, approved by the House in a 366-34 vote, excludes provisions Golden opposed in earlier iterations, such as a raise and more generous health care benefits for members of Congress, and a two-year suspension of the debt limit that would have amounted to a blank check for the next Congress to blow up the federal deficit. 

“This CR strikes the balance that we should have been aiming for all along,” Golden said. “No self-dealing for members of Congress while Americans struggle to pay their bills. No preemptive permission for irresponsible deficit spending next year. Instead, we’re simply ensuring we avoid a disruptive and costly government shutdown, supporting those who have experienced natural disasters — including at home in Maine — and extending the Farm Bill to provide stability for American farmers.”

Among other important provisions, the package contains $325 million in disaster relief for Maine, including $79 million in funding to rebuild and restore infrastructure in Acadia National Park that was damaged during extreme weather last winter, $15 million for agricultural disaster relief and economic assistance, and $10.5 million to reimburse Maine for emergency repairs to roads and bridges. 

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