Whitehouse Votes Against Republican Funding Proposal

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement after voting against Republicans' funding proposal on the Senate floor tonight:

"The next phase of Democrats' health care affordability fight is starting. The American people are with us, and Republicans will pay a heavy political price if they do not follow through on their commitment to work in a bipartisan way to lower skyrocketing premiums. I personally don't believe them, but would be thrilled to be wrong.

"We have also unlocked some progress on the path to a year-long government funding deal. Bipartisan appropriations are a key restraint on Trump.

"The shutdown put this president's mad cruelty on display for the world to see. President Trump and his goons were happy to inflict maximal pain on people and our economy, while throwing extravagant parties and wasting enormous sums to turn the White House into a gaudy palace. Everyone saw that. From his gilded golf club, President Trump kept food off the tables of millions of children and families. The American people will not forget."