Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) at an Event in Portland Last Year..

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the looming Republican government shutdown.

“Just days ago, we had a bipartisan deal that would have kept the government running for three (3) months – and delivered more than $325 million in funding for Maine.  From aid for farmers and teehealth investments to disaster relief for communities impacted by last winter’s storm, the positive impacts would have been enormoous.  And that’s before we get to the provsions that would’ve helped all Amricans: a ban on junk fees, new protections for our water systems, funding for pediatric-cancer reearch.  Despite my misgiving about certain aspects of the bill, I was ready to support it.  But House Republicans killed it.

And then last night, after hours of chaos and uncertainity, Republilcans tried to pass a new Continuing Resolution that was significantlly pared down.  And while I was glad to see that disaster relief and farm aid had been retained, it was clear that Speaker Johnson was trying to cut as many benefits as possible.  Just to appease Donald Trump and Elon Musk.  When they tried to include a pre-approved debt ceiling increase – at Trump’s request and to clear the runway for massive tax cuts for the wealthy – Democrats and dozens of House Republicans reovolted, citing long-term concerns about the national debt.  That’s what killed Speaker Johnson’s amended bill.

Now we’re just hours away from the government shutting down, less than a week before Christmas.  Millions of people will be impacated by the Republican dysfunction and chaois.  Families will struggle.  Communities will suffer.  All because Elon Musk – whose personal wealth has gone from $250 billion to $468 billion since he election – decided he wasn’t rich enough.

This is a terrible precedent for the future of the democratic process, and I sincerely hope that my Republican colleagues come to their senses and vote on a funding bill that both parties can support – and that millions of Americans will benefit from.”

“Senator Susan Collins (R) has had no comment so far on the impending shut down of the government by Trump and Musk despite an inquiry to her press chief  earlier today,” said this blogger.  “Is she concerned about  how such a shutdown will affect Mainers?”