Rep. Courtney Votes to Avert Costly, Harmful Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after voting to pass a Continuing Resolution that funds the government through mid-March and removes Elon Musk’s demand to suspend the debt ceiling. The bill overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 366-34-1.
“Tonight, I voted to pass a bipartisan Continuing Resolution that keeps our federal government open, ensures essential services remain uninterrupted, and retains several important provisions I fought for, like shipbuilding investments and essential aid for our farmers, while stripping Elon Musk’s $4 trillion demand to suspend the debt limit. His last-minute intrusion had nothing to do with keeping the government open and was all about his selfish desire to pave the way for a tax cut for the super-rich next year. Last night, I joined a bipartisan majority of members to stop a blank check for Musk and his cronies.
“In eastern Connecticut, the short-term spending bill will ensure that federal employees, including roughly 9,000 sailors and officers at the Groton submarine base, will not have their pay disrupted, as well the Coast Guard Academy staff in New London. Their important work will continue uninterrupted.”
On the funding for submarine programs, Rep. Courtney, Ranking Member of the Seapower Subcommittee, said: “Importantly, the final Continuing Resolution maintains the Biden Administration’s request to Congress of over $14 billion for the Virginia and Columbia class submarine programs and the industrial base, which will help the Navy and industry boost production cadence and grow the supply chain. Importantly, it includes the authorities I called for in the national defense bill to allow Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding to increase wages for frontline workers to ensure our shipyards can recruit and retain a talented workforce.”
On direct disaster economic assistance for farmers, Rep. Courtney, said: “Many farms in Connecticut have felt the devastating consequences of several extreme weather events over the last two years. My colleagues and I in the Connecticut delegation have been leading the push for direct disaster assistance that is free of red tape and roadblocks and meets the real needs of our farmers and producers. I am thrilled that this bill achieves that goal.”