Lankford Updates On Shutdown

From 2a Tuesday morning…

Dear friends and neighbors in the Fifth District,

Earlier this evening, the Senate rejected the House continuing resolution amendment, which would have funded the federal government through December 15, delayed the new taxes and penalties imposed on Americans who don’t purchase health insurance, and prevent Members of Congress, congressional staff, the President, Vice President, Cabinet members and political appointees from receiving a special exemption from ObamaCare. Measures that are widely supported by Americans of all stripes but not by Senate Democrats.

It is clear that the House and Senate are at an impasse on how to fund the federal government. We’ve sent three different proposals to the Senate, but they refused to seriously consider any of them. As Thomas Jefferson once said, a House and Senate conference may be sought “in all cases of differences of opinion between two Houses on matters pending between them.” Therefore, early this morning the House approved a motion to go to a formal conference committee between the House and the Senate to iron out our differences in the bill. I hope Majority Leader Reid will act with urgency on our request to go to conference.

It is now officially past midnight and the appropriations for the federal government have expired. I am committed to restoring funding to the federal government as soon as possible and ensure all Americans are treated fairly under the law. In addition, I am pleased that the President signed into law a provision that the House passed unanimously on Saturday and the Senate passed today to provide uninterrupted funding for our troops and defense personnel in the event of a federal shutdown. I will work to keep you updated on the latest information as Congress continues to do everything we can to keep the government running and protect as many Americans as possible from the harmful effects of Obamacare while ensuring fairness for all Americans.

In God We Trust,

James Lankford
Member of Congress

As of 7p EST Monday…

Dear friends and neighbors in central Oklahoma,

Earlier today, the Senate rejected the House-passed bill, which would have funded the federal government until December 15 and delayed the implementation of ObamaCare for one year. Majority Leader Reid’s decision to “table” the bill and not even allow the Senate to debate is unfair to millions of Americans, especially federal employees and their families.

Contrary to what you’ve heard in the media, we can keep the federal government open and treat all Americans fairly under the law. Tonight, the House amended the current continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 15. The amendment will delay for one year the individual mandate and the individual tax penalties Obamacare imposes on millions of Americans. Individual Americans should have the same waiver that large businesses have already received from the Administration. The amendment will also require Members of Congress, congressional staff, the President, Vice President, Cabinet members, and political appointees to get their health insurance from the exchanges set up by ObamaCare without subsidies and exemptions. If individuals on the exchanges cannot receive contributions from their employers, Members of Congress, their staffs, and the Administration should not either.

I hope the Senate acts quickly, since current government funding expires at midnight tonight. The Senate can move quickly when they choose to.

I am pleased that the Senate unanimously voted today on the House-passed bill to ensure our military personnel are paid in the event of a federal government slowdown. The House wanted to make sure all military and the civilians that support our military do not face another cut.

I will do my best to keep you updated on the latest information as Congress continues to do everything we can to keep the government running and protect as many Americans from a law that is not ready for implementation.

In God We Trust,

James Lankford
Member of Congress