Tom Cole: “I believe that States, not the U.S. Department of Education, should continue to be responsible for what charters they do…”

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.

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.

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.