Tom Cole: “Nobody did politically on either side. I don't think the services did. And we stumbled into a really bad situation that…”

For anyone questioning this legislation, the facts are simple — it extends the government funding deadline to Dec. 4, denying any party the opportunity to manufacture leverage before elections.

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.

Our conference refuses to let the obstruction and inaction of Senate Democrats trigger another manufactured shutdown at the end of September. That is why we are acting before a funding lapse crisis, not in response to it.

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