Cornyn Statement on Senate Democrats Using Tragedy for Political Gain & Forcing Funding Lapse

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Cornyn Statement on Senate Democrats Using Tragedy for Political Gain & Forcing Funding Lapse

January 30, 2026

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after voting to keep the government open after Senate Democrats stonewalled the House-passed package of remaining appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026, ensuring a portion of federal government funding will lapse at 12:01AM ET:

“It’s Groundhog Day in the U.S. Senate as Democrats choose, once again, to allow federal government funding to lapse to support their own political agenda.”

“It is always a tragedy when a human life is ended, but it is inexcusable that Democrats are using such tragedy as a scapegoat to try and force changes to government funding that they know cannot be made before midnight tonight. They are willfully punishing 330 million Americans for a political stunt.”

“I am grateful to President Trump for negotiating legislation to avoid a more damaging, long-term Democrat shutdown like we saw this past fall, and I urge House Republicans to pass this bill to reopen the government as soon as possible.”