Walz Calls for Clean, Up or Down Vote to End Reckless Shutdown

Press Release

Today, Representative Tim Walz (D-MN), called on Speaker Boehner to stop the games and bring forward the clean, bipartisan Senate passed bill to reopen the entire government for an up or down vote. Walz stated that 195 Democrats are willing to compromise and have agreed to Speaker Boehner's requested lower funding levels. He also noted that at least 22 House Republicans have publicly stated they would vote for the clean, Senate passed measure as well, bringing the vote total to 217--a bipartisan majority. This makes clear that there is a bipartisan majority to pass this bill and reopen the entire government today.

"Enough is enough. It's time to stop the games. The votes are there to end this reckless government shutdown today," said Walz. "All Speaker Boehner needs to do is bring the bipartisan Senate passed compromise forward for a clean, up or down vote and we can reopen the entire government today."

On Saturday, Walz, joined by 199 Democrats, sent a letter to House Speaker Boehner demanding a vote on a piece of legislation that would end the shutdown and fund the government. A vote on the legislation would open the entire federal government immediately. The letter is signed by 195 voting Members and 5 non-voting delegates.

This unnecessary shutdown is having a devastating impact on our economy, costing more than $300 million in taxpayer dollars a day, halting much-needed loans to small businesses, and forcing roughly 800,000 federal employees (including 20,000 Minnesotans)--public servants that work hard to make our nation a safer and better place--to be furloughed.

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