Democratic Representative Jared Golden of Maine voted alongside Republicans for the continuing resolution (CR) bill floated by GOP lawmakers and backed by President Donald Trump.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on the CR passing the House on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
The CR bill presented a contentious argument in the House this week as a bill needed to be passed to continue to fund the government.
The passage of the bill also sparked backlash within the Republican Party as Congressman Thomas Massie refused to vote in favor of the bill rebuking Trump’s guidance.
What To Know
The bill passed roughly on party lines as Golden and Massie were the only two to break with their respective parties. The bill passed the House by a vote of 217-213. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, after the vote, Golden laid out his reasoning on why he voted to push it through.
“This CR is not perfect, but a shutdown would be worse. Even a brief shutdown would introduce even more chaos and uncertainty at a time when our country can ill-afford it,” Golden said in part while touting the “provisions Mainers can celebrate.”
Golden highlighted that the bill provides funding to junior enlisted members of the Armed Services, more funding for disaster relief, more funding for immigration enforcement, and extended telehealth for Medicare.
Golden concluded his thread on X saying: “To be clear, this CR is not the one I would have written. But elections have consequences. I am disappointed by messaging gimmicks from some in my party, particularly the untrue claim that this CR cuts veterans services. The truth is: There are no cuts to veterans care in the period covered by this CR & we have six months to ensure funding continues in the next fiscal year. To say it contains cuts is, at best, a misreading that creates unnecessary fear among veterans.”
“At worst, Dems are adopting the same cynical GOP political tactics that we have rightfully denounced — using misdirection to justify a vote. This may seem politically expedient, but it only lowers us to a level we shouldn’t accept,” Golden said.
What People Are Saying
Trump on Truth Social on Tuesday: “‘Congressman’ Thomas Massie voted to delay the Debt Ceiling Bill from the Biden Administration to the Trump Administration (from September before the Election, to June after the Election!), without getting anything for this horrendously stupid move — When Republicans could have gotten EVERYTHING they wanted. He additionally voted to delay the current Budget Disaster from the Biden Administration to the Trump Administration. I was running for Office at the time, doing my thing, and when I heard about this, it was, quite simply, hard to believe — A catastrophic mistake! Now, and virtually on every other vote, he’s a very simple, ‘NO.’ He can’t even approve a Continuing Resolution when he approved them many times during his career as a ‘Congressman.’ Thomas Massie is a GRANDSTANDER, and the Great People of Kentucky are going to be watching a very interesting Primary in the not too distant future!”
Massie on X on Tuesday replying to Trump: “This tweet from Trump’s account is very misleading. I never voted for a CR that became law. I did vote for a CR under McCarthy that included an 8% cut to all discretionary spending, but unfortunately that CR did not become law. Do research and you’ll find I’ve been consistent.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, on X on Tuesday after the vote: “Today, House Republicans stood for the American people and voted to maintain funding the paychecks for our troops, the agents who secure our borders, the TSA workers responsible for safe air travel, as well as the healthcare and benefits for veterans, and essential services and programs that keep the government operational. But House Democrats decided to double down on partisan politics.
“For years, House Democrats have railed against government shutdowns, but they suddenly changed their tune when President Trump returned to office. Their falsehoods and misinformation campaigns are a desperate attempt to distract from their own failures. Despite these tactics, President Trump and Congressional Republicans will stop at nothing to deliver on the mandate given by the American people.
“In a shameful display of coordinated political theater, Democrats are willing to run out the clock on funding the government in a failed attempt to block the America First agenda. Now it’s decision time for Senate Democrats: cast a vote to keep the government open or be responsible for shutting it down.”
What Happens Next
If passed by the Senate, the CR funds the government until September 30.
The post One Democrat Sides With Republicans to Push Trump-Backed Funding Bill appeared first on Newsweek.
