Washington, D.C. — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) released the following statement on his vote to authorize pay checks for federal employees affected by the Democrats’ senseless government shutdown.

“Today the U.S. House of Representatives had an opportunity to pay the federal employees who have been hurt by Democrats’ senseless government shutdown. Despite claiming to want to reopen the government, House Democrats blocked this critical Republican-led vote, choosing instead to allow hardworking Americans to go without their first paycheck of the year. It’s past time for this shutdown to end. Until we reach an acceptable conclusion, I will keep fighting for federal employees in North Texas and the resources we need to secure our southern border.”

The Republican Motion to Recommit H.J. Res. 28 – Further Continuing Appropriations Act would have allowed all federal employees to receive their first paycheck of the year by extending funding from December 22, 2018 through January 15, 2019. The Motion to Recommit also would have required further action to secure the border and reopen the government. For a full list of Members who supported this solution, please see the roll call vote.

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