WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee and a member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on Senate passage of the Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act, H.R. 6617. This legislation, which has already passed the House of Representatives, will keep the federal government open for the next three weeks through March 11, 2022 and provide more time to finalize the text of a full-year appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2022. 

“Five months into the fiscal year, I am thankful that we have found a way to avoid another potential government shutdown, but the passage of a third continuing resolution this deep into the fiscal year weakens the ability of the federal government to respond to emerging needs at home and abroad.

“We need to finalize funding for the remainder of the fiscal year sooner rather than later. This cannot continue for all of 2022. I urge my colleagues to continue their important work without delay and finalize an agreement that will help keep our economy on a positive track, make critical investments in services for working and low-income families, and strengthen the security of our nation.” 

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