STATEMENT: Golden on funding deadline, potential shutdown

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement regarding the Friday government funding deadline, following reports that Speaker Mike Johnson was “unequivocally clear” in meeting with congressional leaders and President Biden that he opposes a government shutdown:

“It’s encouraging to hear reports that Speaker Johnson wants to avoid a government shutdown,” said Golden. “With the current House majority even narrower than it was when budget negotiations started last year, the only path forward remains the same: a strong coalition of Democrats and Republicans must sideline hardliners who want to shut down the government and enact the funding levels that the vast majority of Congress already voted to support last May.”

The Fiscal Responsibility Act, a bipartisan agreement setting government spending levels to be negotiated in a new budget, passed the House 314-117 last May and was signed into law June 3. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this two-year spending cap is projected to reduce national deficits by $1.5 trillion over 10 years.

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