Tom Cole: “I would advise my very good friend from the great State of Virginia that we didn't wait. We worked with you and passed…”

I hold the Democrats in the Senate most responsible, but I don’t excuse the Republicans for letting them do it.

The Senate has wasted the entire year and a half. They have not passed a single bill.

It gives the nation and our constituents certainty, certainty that the government will remain open, certainty that our service members will be paid.

It reinforces support for key allies - like Israel and Taiwan - and directly counters threats from Communist China and other regimes that challenge our interests and principles.