When it comes to government shutdowns, Jon Tester is the ultimate hypocrite. He said yesterday that he would oppose a short term funding bill to keep the government open despite sponsoring the “End Government Shutdowns Act” on multiple occasions.
Tester’s “End Government Shutdowns Act” automatically triggers short term funding to keep the government open if regular funding bills expire, which is what President Trump is calling on Senate Democrats to support today to prevent the government from shutting down at midnight.
It’s a sad day for Montana when Jon Tester stands with Chuck Schumer (D – New York City) to shut down the government instead of with President Trump, who won Montana by over 20 points.
BACKGROUND:
Jon Tester has repeatedly signed on as a co-sponsor of the End Government Shutdowns Act, which would have provide automatic continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown
In April 2017, Tester signed on as a co-sponsor of the End Government Shutdowns Act, which “provides specified continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if any appropriations measure for a fiscal year has not been enacted or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect after the fiscal year begins.” “This bill provides specified continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if any appropriations measure for a fiscal year has not been enacted or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect after the fiscal year begins. The appropriations are provided to continue to fund programs, projects, and activities for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year.” (S. 918, Introduced 4/24/17)
In January 2013, Jon Tester was an original co-sponsor of the End Government Shutdowns Act, which “specified provisional (automatic) continuing appropriations in the event that any regular appropriation bill for a fiscal year is not enacted before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect.” “End Government Shutdowns Act – Makes specified provisional (automatic) continuing appropriations in the event that any regular appropriation bill for a fiscal year is not enacted before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. (Thus prevents a federal government shutdown.)” (S. 29, Introduced 1/22/13)
In July 2012, Jon Tester was an original co-sponsor of the End Government Shutdowns Act. “End Government Shutdowns Act – Makes specified provisional (automatic) continuing appropriations in the event that any regular appropriation bill for a fiscal year is not enacted before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. (Thus prevents a federal government shutdown.)” (S. 3434, Introduced 7/25/12)
Tester said his bill “automatically continues current funding for 120 days if Congress cannot agree to a new budget by its annual deadline of October 1.” “Tester’s bill automatically continues current funding for 120 days if Congress cannot agree to a new budget by its annual deadline of October 1. At the end of the 120-day period, funding of every federal program will be reduced by one percent every 90 days until Congress agrees on a budget.” (Sen. Jon Tester, “Tester To Congress: Stop Playing Games With The Budget,” Press Release, 1/23/13)
Tester said “Threatening to shut down the government every few months undermines our economy, creates uncertainty, and hurts working families and small businesses.” “‘Threatening to shut down the government every few months undermines our economy, creates uncertainty, and hurts working families and small businesses,’ said Tester. ‘This bipartisan bill will force Congress to make responsible decisions about getting our debt and deficit under control and without putting our nation’s economy at risk.’” (Sen. Rob Portman, “Portman, Tester Introduce End Government Shutdowns Act,” Press Release, 1/22/13)