Coats: Status Quo is Unacceptable, Will Oppose Short-Term Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.), the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, today released the following statement regarding tonight’s Senate vote on a bill that would fund the federal government through December 11:

“In 2010, I asked Hoosiers to send me back to the Senate to focus on tackling our nation’s debt and deficit problems. To my great regret, these issues have gone largely unaddressed under President Obama, as he repeatedly has walked away from every attempt, including serious and well-supported bipartisan efforts, to enact real reforms.

“It is clear from the phone calls, letters, emails and in-person feedback I receive that Hoosiers are tired of business-as-usual in Washington. There is great frustration with how President Obama has overreached his authority and proceeded without Congressional backing on many issues of major importance.  

“With Republicans now in control of the House and Senate, maintaining the status quo in Washington is unacceptable. I believe we must fund the government, but we can no longer ignore the coming fiscal crisis or President Obama’s continued executive overreach. Therefore, I will not support continuing resolutions or debt limit increases unless the Senate takes meaningful action to address these challenges. 

“It’s time for Senate Republicans to fight as a majority and fulfill the pledges we made to our constituents. We must confront the president and take every opportunity to lead our country back to financial stability.”