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D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp issued the following statement after the Senate passed a bill to fund the government and avoid a government shutdown.

The Senate came together and passed a clean, bipartisan bill to fund the federal government. It avoids including controversial add-ons that would only lead us closer to a government shutdown. In a still fragile economy, we cannot play Russian Roulette with our economy and North Dakotans’ lives every few months. If the government shuts down, Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans Affairs could stop accepting new beneficiaries. Many members of the military could be furloughed. And many small businesses may not get federal loans. I hope House Republicans will put aside their divisive political games that only put our economy at risk. It isn’t leadership or governing. The House has a short time to change course and do the right thing for our country and pass this bill.”