A key Missouri GOP Congressman says there is “no future” in a federal government shutdown.
Springfield Congressman Billy Long
U.S. Rep. Billy Long, R-Springfield, does not think there will be a government shutdown Friday night.
“I think that after (Senate Minority Leader Chuck) Schumer came back from the White House awhile ago, the tea leaves I’m reading I really think they’ll call us back in tonight and have us vote, once the Senate votes and sends something back over to us,” Long says.
The House passed a short-term spending bill Thursday night. CNN notes the Senate must pass it now to avoid a government shutdown before the midnight deadline, which is less than six hours away.
Congressman Long’s district includes Springfield, Bolivar, Branson and Joplin.
“There is no future in a shutdown. A lot of people say shut her down, keep it shut down, don’t open it back up,” says Long. “But as a practical matter, all the government employees that get sent home and don’t come in next week are going to get paid,” says Long.
Congressman Long tells Missourinet he believes Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, will call the House back in tonight. Long says House members have stayed at the Capitol.
“They told us to go home, told us to leave, go catch your flights but I don’t think that anyone did. I think that everyone kind of knew that if we went home today we would be called back Monday and just have to fly back out here (Washington) at taxpayer expense,” Long says.
Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Springfield Congressman Billy Long: