Senator Collins Supports Passage Of Bill To Fund Government And Avert Shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through September 30, 2013 and prevent a government shutdown. 

The Senate bill includes the full Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations bill.

Following today's vote, Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released this statement:

"While I continue to believe it is better for the Senate to return to regular order by considering each appropriations bill individually, I supported this bill because it allows us to avoid yet another fiscal crisis at the end of this month.  As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, it is my hope that we can soon begin taking an in-depth look at our priorities for the next fiscal year and work together, in a bipartisan way, to pass appropriations bills on time.

"I am pleased, however, that this legislation includes a full-year Defense Appropriations bill.  This is absolutely essential to provide the Navy the opportunity to reach its goal of procuring ten DDG-51 destroyers during the next five years.

"In addition, this legislation includes a $150 million increase that was originally included in the Senate Appropriations Committee's version for repairs to the USS MIAMI.

"The Navy must still find a way to deal with the across-the-board, meat-ax cuts under sequestration, but passage of this bill brings us one step closer to seeing both of these programs through to completion."