WASHINGTON — Next week the federal government will run out of money to operate, unless, of course, Congress steps in.
Complicating budget negotiations is an attempt to tie other issues to the budget resolution, including a freeze on funds for Planned Parenthood.
Maine's congressional delegation is vowing to keep the government going until a budget deal can be worked out.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a Republican from Maine's 2nd District, voted last week to divert funds dedicated for Planned Parenthood to other federally qualified health centers until Planned Parenthood is thoroughly investigated in the wake of allegations the group sold aborted fetal tissue in violation of federal law.
Some of his GOP colleagues are threatening to force a shutdown of the federal government next week over that issue. But Poliquin has joined with a group of freshmen lawmakers in signing a letter saying they want to keep the federal government operating.
"That is a separate issue," he says. "We need to make sure that government doesn't shut down. My choice is a clean bill, dealing with a continuing resolution so we can fund the government."
Poliquin says the short-term bill could cover costs for a couple of months, enough time to work out an agreement for the rest of the budget year.
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine's 1st District, says while Congress should have been able to put together a budget by now, she will support a short-term funding measure to give the House and Senate a chance to work out a compromise.
"It's really disappointing cause I am on Appropriations and we have worked really hard to get many pieces put together and do responsible funding of programs and cut others when we should," she says.
U.S. Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent, says it would be irresponsible for lawmakers to fail to keep the federal government open and operating. He says the budget issues are difficult but a compromise can be reached, if both parties want to reach a compromise.
"Hopefully we can find a place where there will be some agreement such as what happened two years ago with Patty Murray and Paul Ryan," he says. "That could be achieved if there is a will to do so."
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, says Congress should not repeat the mistake of two years ago, when it allowed partisan battles to close many federal facilities, including national parks, for more than two weeks.
"Government shutdowns are terrible for the economy you've only to ask the wait staff, the housekeepers, the small businesses around Acadia National Park, where the businesses lost a million dollars a day," she says.
Collins, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, says preventing even a partial shutdown of the federal government is a major priority. But all four members of Maine's congressional delegation acknowledge that will be difficult, given the current politically charged atmosphere in Washington.
