WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement after voting to avoid a government shutdown:

“House Democrats voted to save military paychecks, critical services like Meals on Wheels, small business loans, and critical functions of the U.S. government today as MAGA Republicans took the country to the brink of another government shutdown right before Thanksgiving.   Instead of working across the aisle, House Republicans for months have used defaults and shutdowns to force extreme MAGA Republican policies – like a national abortion ban - on the American people.

“The best pathway to avoid a government shutdown is a bipartisan path, and today, House Democrats once again stood by our word. The Continuing Resolution (CR) we passed today will avoid significant harm to families, our military, our economy and our national security while preserving historic investments and blocking extreme MAGA Republican policy riders.

“House Democrats continue to stand ready to work with House Republicans to pass all government funding bills that reflect the framework that was signed into law in June with the passage of the Bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act. I encourage my Republican colleagues to work in good faith with Democrats and end their partisan and costly shenanigans.”