John Thune: “It has been 3 weeks since Democrats shut down the government. Democrats chose to put the demands of far-left activists…”

“It has been 3 weeks since Democrats shut down the government. Democrats chose to put the demands of far-left activists ahead of serving the American people, and over the last 3 weeks, it is the American people who have borne the consequences of the Democrat shutdown. Thousands of flights have been delayed. Nutrition assistance for millions of needy families is in jeopardy. Military families are turning to food banks in 'unprecedented' numbers. Democrats apparently are willing to prolong the suffering until their far-left base is satisfied. We have given Democrats here in the Senate numerous opportunities to end the shutdown. We have held now 11 votes on a clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution to end the shutdown and the pain that comes with it, and they said no every time. We gave Democrats an opportunity to consider the bipartisan Defense appropriations bill--something that, I might add, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee 26 to 3, an overwhelming bipartisan vote. We gave them an opportunity to consider that here on the floor so we can at least protect our national security and pay our troops. Democrats called it 'unacceptable' and a 'distraction' to pay the troops. We even offered to give them a vote on a healthcare proposal of their own design if they vote to reopen the government. The answer again was no.”