Kirk votes with majority to prevent partial federal government shutdown
By Mark Reccek
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) voted with a Senate majority on Wednesday, along with a House majority, to prevent a partial shutdown of the federal government by supporting a short-term measure that extends current levels of funding for programs vital to Illinois, including veterans' care, efforts to protect the Great Lakes and anti-gang initiatives.
The measure provides funding for another 10 weeks, through Dec. 11.
“We have appropriations bills ready to be voted on in the Senate,” Kirk said. “Short-term funding bills distract from efforts to address the veterans backlog, gang violence, pollution in the Great Lakes and major medical research – all on hold for political opportunists on both sides of the aisle. Appropriations bills should advance, go to conference committees and head to the president’s desk."
The continuing resolution provides $524.6 million over 10 weeks for Veterans Benefits Administration claims processors, an increase to fiscal 2016 levels to maintain progress in reducing the veterans disability-claims backlog. The initiative also ensures that funding for other programs critical to Illinois families and the economy do not lapse.
Kirk also authored a fiscal 2016 appropriations bill that funds veterans’ care at record levels. The MilCon/VA funding bill passed the Senate by a vote of 78-20 and now goes to the House.
The measure provides funding for another 10 weeks, through Dec. 11.
“We have appropriations bills ready to be voted on in the Senate,” Kirk said. “Short-term funding bills distract from efforts to address the veterans backlog, gang violence, pollution in the Great Lakes and major medical research – all on hold for political opportunists on both sides of the aisle. Appropriations bills should advance, go to conference committees and head to the president’s desk."
The continuing resolution provides $524.6 million over 10 weeks for Veterans Benefits Administration claims processors, an increase to fiscal 2016 levels to maintain progress in reducing the veterans disability-claims backlog. The initiative also ensures that funding for other programs critical to Illinois families and the economy do not lapse.
Kirk also authored a fiscal 2016 appropriations bill that funds veterans’ care at record levels. The MilCon/VA funding bill passed the Senate by a vote of 78-20 and now goes to the House.