Tom Cole: “I just want to quickly inquire of my friend. I am prepared to close, if my friend is. Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I am.”

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

The only reason we’re doing it now is, first, the Senate Democrats, I think, have misused the filibuster, and honestly, the Republicans have let them misuse the filibuster.

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.