Rep. Demings Comments on Deal to Reopen Government

ORLANDO, FL – Today Speaker Pelosi and other congressional leaders announced a deal with President Trump for a three-week short-term spending deal to reopen the government.

Said Rep. Demings, “Today’s deal is the short-term extension that Democrats have already passed, and that I have voted for. The Senate unanimously passed the same plan before the President changed his mind and rejected it, saying ‘I’m proud to shut down the government.’

“This shutdown has proven that our country relies every day on the vital work of our federal employees. They keep our food and skies safe, prevent crime and terrorism, and provide life-and-death services upon which millions of Americans rely. The Democratic Congress has already voted to extend immediately back-pay to everyone who was denied their paychecks. We must not put them in this position ever again.

Background

• Yesterday in the Senate a Democratic bill to reopen the government with no strings attached received more votes than the bill backed by Mr. Trump.
• Today in a private discussion of the shutdown Republican Senator Ron Johnson told Senator Mitch McConnell “You put us in this position” and “this is your fault.”
• Most Americans blame President Trump and Congressional Republicans for the shutdown. President Trump’s approval rating is at an all-time low.

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