U.S. Rep Mike Kelly, R- 16th

On Sept. 19, nearly one month ago, my House Republican colleagues and I voted to pass a short-term spending bill that would fund the government and would have averted a shutdown.

The legislation, known as a “continuing resolution (CR),” was clean and straightforward — it would simply keep the government’s lights on and its doors open through Nov. 21 while lawmakers work to reach an agreement on our annual long-term budget.

This common-sense solution has not been enough for Senate Democrats, who have repeatedly voted against the continuing resolution 10 times as of Oct. 16.

What’s more: the short-term bill House Republicans passed continues Biden-era spending levels. There are no budget cuts, no frills, no gimmicks. Halloween may be on the way, but there are no tricks in our legislation.

It simply would have kept funding for federal agencies in place, paid our military service members; and, it would have funded critical programs, such as air traffic control and TSA agents at our nation’s airports and support for mothers and children across our area.

I’ve heard this common question from folks over the last two weeks: “Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. Why did you shut down the government?”

Although the U.S. House of Representatives needs just a simple majority to pass legislation, the U.S. Senate is a little different. In the Senate, a 60-vote majority is needed to pass continuing resolutions and a long-term budget. That means Republicans, who control the upper chamber with just 53 seats, need Senate Democrats to also pass this legislation.

So far, some senators have put partisan politics aside and voted in favor of the House-passed solution, including Pennsylvania’s own John Fetterman, a Democrat.

I encourage all Senate Democrats to put policy over politics. After all, the Senate voted for a strikingly similar continuing resolution just this March.

But recently, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., appeared to tip his cards.

“Every day gets better for us,” Schumer recently said of Democrats during the prolonged shutdown.

For many hardworking men and women across Western Pennsylvania, this isn’t a partisan game — it’s real life. They get up every day and to go work — in some cases, two or three jobs — just to support their families.

A recent Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll shows 70% of Americans oppose the shutdown, including 74% of Democrats. That’s why I voted to avoid a shutdown over one month ago.

Despite the shutdown, my team and I continue to work for you. Several programs many use every day will continue to operate. Notably, seniors who rely on Social Security and Medicare will continue to receive their benefits. The U.S. Postal Service will continue to deliver mail.

House Republicans passed a short-term spending bill on time and ahead of schedule. It’s time for Senate Democrats to join us.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly is a Republican representing Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District. He serves as chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax.