January 22, 2018

Manchin Proud Bipartisan Compromise Passed in the Senate to End Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement after the bipartisan compromise that he led passed the Senate, ending the government shutdown.

“I worked all weekend and brought together more than 20 Republicans and Democrats to help both sides come to an agreement to end this government shutdown. While others were focused on placing political blame, I was focused on solving the problem, and I'm glad to say we got it done. I’m proud we were able to come together and pass our bipartisan compromise to reopen the government, pass long-term funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and give us 3 weeks to come up with a FY2018 budget that everyone can support.

“Now that the government will reopen, we have the next 3 weeks to ensure our military is equipped to protect our country, fight the opioid epidemic, keep our promise to coal miners so they don’t lose their hard-earned pensions, expand broadband access and pass a comprehensive infrastructure package.

“I never voted for or supported this shutdown. This was a result of the toxic dysfunction that this Congress is operating under. It was wrong to shut down the government and it was a waste of time that prevented us from working on issues that the American people and West Virginians care about. Now, we can get back to work.”

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