Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Setting Up Senate Floor Vote On Funding The Government And Averting A Catastrophic Default Crisis

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today filed cloture on the motion to proceed to the House-passed continuing resolution, legislation that would fund the government and avert default. Because of this action, the Senate will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the House-passed continuing resolution on Monday.  Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks:

First let me say thank you to the few remaining colleagues but also everyone else for staying here late into the evening as we continue to confirm these important nominees to the Biden Administration.

Now in a few moments, I will be filing cloture on the Continuing Resolution that was passed by the House of Representatives this week.

This resolution is the answer for avoiding numerous fast-approaching crises on the horizon, including an unnecessary government shutdown and a first-ever default on our country’s sovereign debt.

Members should be advised that the cloture vote will take place this coming Monday.

Every single member in this chamber is going on record as to whether they support keeping the government open and averting a default, or support shutting us down and careening our country towards a default.

At the end of the day, frankly Mr. President, the only thing that matters in a legislative body is how you vote. It’s what our constituents sent us here to do.

Now, our Republican colleagues say they don’t want a shutdown. They say they don’t want a credit default. They say they want hurricane aid.

Then the answer is simple: they should vote yes on this bill and it will all get done.

But if Republicans vote no—as many of them are saying they will—the Republican Party will solidify itself as the party of default—the party of default.

They will endanger every single American in this country—including those who rely on Social Security, Medicare benefits; they will hurt small businesses, pensioners, and our veterans.

If my Republican colleagues want to help the American people avoid calamity, they can vote yes to keep the government open. They can vote yes on suspending the debt limit. It is in their hands.

But come Monday, if Republicans vote in favor of a shutdown and default, the American people will see exactly who is responsible for throwing our country into crisis.

There will be the president requesting this bill, the House having passed this bill, the majority putting this bill on the floor…and the Republicans blocking it. Who’s responsible for the default?

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