WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate voted 54-46 for a clean “continuing resolution” (CR) to finance the government through November 15 without partisan policy prescriptions.  Yet once again, House Republican leaders insisted they would not allow a vote on a government spending bill in the U.S. House of Representatives unless it includes language to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.  As a result, the federal government is effectively shut down until Congress can resolve the issue and pass a bipartisan spending plan.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:

“The Republican leadership is out of touch with the realities of middle-class families.  The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land.  Rolling back health reform and denying health insurance to 30 million Americans doesn’t help the economy and it doesn’t create jobs.  It will do quite the opposite -- it will set us back. 

“Republicans who want to undo health reform lost the debate in Congress, the Supreme Court and last year’s elections.  Their bitter message of repeal, delay, and division is a non-starter.  I am open to working with anyone, regardless of party affiliation, to strengthen and improve the health care law, but it has to be in the right context, not as a threat over the functioning of the government or the nation’s credit-worthiness.

“A government shutdown is wasteful, irresponsible, and helps no one.  

“I urge Speaker Boehner to allow a vote on a clean CR that keeps the government working for the American people.  

“Given the opportunity, I believe responsible and reasonable members of both chambers will do the right thing and vote to fund the government.”