WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, shared the following remarks about the Continuing Resolution that now has been approved by both houses of Congress to keep the government functioning.

“A shutdown of the federal government, even a partial shutdown, would be irresponsible and wasteful, and needlessly hurt American workers and taxpayers. But it is absurd that we were pushed to the deadline yet again to barely keep the federal government functioning. Days ago, we had a bipartisan agreement to fund priority programs and keep the government working through March. This last-ditch agreement barely covers the basics and only includes a fraction of what is necessary for disaster relief nationwide, which is urgently needed. In addition, reversing their previous agreement, House Republicans are allowing critical telehealth and other healthcare provisions to expire, which will harm millions of vulnerable Americans.

“Our economic and national security cannot keep weathering the instability Republican lawmakers are inflicting on the federal government. They need to learn how to govern and how to keep their word after good-faith negotiations. And we cannot keep kicking the fiscal can down the road with continuing resolution after continuing resolution. The American people expect us to do our jobs.

“I am thankful that, as part of the minimal disaster relief included, Congress delivered on full federal funding for the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This will allow the bridge it to be built as quickly as possible while returning funds to federal taxpayers as they are recovered from insurance and other claims.”