Hoeven Makes Case to Reopen Government, Stresses Need for Agriculture Assistance

Hoeven Makes Case to Reopen Government, Stresses Need for Agriculture Assistance

Senate Democrats Again Vote Against Clean, Short-Term Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today spoke on the Senate floor to make the case to his colleagues for re-opening the government by passing a clean, short-term continuing resolution (CR). At the same time, the senator outlined priorities Congress should be focused on, including passing the appropriations bills through regular order and providing assistance to help the nation's agriculture producers. Hoeven stressed the need to push back on China's attempt to target U.S. agriculture producers and give the administration leverage in its ongoing trade negotiations.

Hoeven's remarks come as Senate Democrats again voted against a clean, short-term CR to fund the government through November 21. The measure has already passed the House of Representatives and would give Congress additional time to finish the annual appropriations process under regular order.

"Once again, our Democrat colleagues are going to have the opportunity to vote for a clean, non-partisan continuing resolution that would open the government and allow us to continue working on the appropriations process. Unfortunately, the Democrat leadership is demanding more than $1 trillion in new spending just to keep the government open until November 21," said Hoeven. "Let's end this Schumer shutdown and pass a clean, short-term CR - the same kind of clean CR mind you that 96 percent of Democrats voted to support 13 times during the Biden administration.

"We need to re-open the government, return to our bipartisan appropriations work, and get back to conducting the business of the American people. A good example is our work to support our ag producers… With harvest season underway, the Trump administration continues to fight for better markets for our farmers and ranchers, but in the meantime, our producers need a bridge to stronger markets and the updated farm safety net, which we included as part of the Big Beautiful Bill.

"Due to China's efforts to reduce commodity prices and push up the cost of production, our farmers are having a hard time right now. It's critical that we don't allow China to use our farmers as a pressure point in negotiations… By acting now and providing assistance for our producers during these negotiations, we will send a very strong signal to China that their tactics will not work. That's how we secure better market access for our producers for the long-term.

"That's exactly what President Trump did during his first term in his negotiations with China, when we worked with him on the Market Facilitation Program to keep our farmers in the game. The result was that President Trump secured a $50 billion agreement from China to purchase our ag commodities. That's what we're working to do once again, and it's just one example of the hard work that needs to get done for the American people. So, once again I ask our Democrat colleagues to join with us and vote to get this government open."

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