WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following on his vote to reopen the federal government. Video of Senator Cardin speaking after the vote can be downloaded here.

“Four months into the fiscal year, Republicans, who control the White House and both houses of Congress, finally understand that we cannot govern from continuing resolution to continuing resolution. It took extreme measures to get us to this point. Leader McConnell will be held to his word that we will have a spending bill that addresses both defense and non-defense priorities, along with a fair opportunity to pass immigration reform.

“Democrats never wanted to see the federal government shut down, even for a few days, but we needed to take a stand to keep this budget can from being kicked down the road again and again and again. For Marylanders who work for or support the federal government, including our military personnel, the frustration and hurt of a shutdown has hit especially hard. There is no such thing as a ‘good shutdown,’ as the president characterized it. I’m proud of the military and civilian workers in Maryland who support our federal government, and will do all I can to ensure they are made whole after this experience. These public servants represent the best of America and they deserve our respect and gratitude.”