WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus King today released the below statement following his vote to advance a Continuing Resolution funding the government and averting a government shutdown

“This afternoon the Senate has to take a very important and difficult vote. It’s a choice between two terrible options: the no good, very bad Continuing Resolution which you’ve heard so much about and a government shutdown which I believe could be even worse.

“The problem is that with a shutdown the President, Elon Musk, and [the Office of Management and Budget] would have unfettered discretion about budgetary decisions—they would decide who’s essential and who’s not essential. And they would also decide what federal agencies get to work and which ones do not.

“In my view, a government shutdown is a significantly greater danger to the country than the Continuing Resolution—even with all of its faults. 

“So it’s not just a question of vote no, fight back. If we vote to shut down the government, we would end up with a shutdown that would enable the President and the administration to do even more damage to the government than they are doing today.

“So that’s where this case comes down. I’ve decided to choose the least worst option and vote to keep the federal government open.”

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