WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after voting to pass a short-term extension to keep the federal government funded through December 11, 2020:

“Governing by short-term extensions is a less than desirable option. Congress should pass individual funding bills each year to avoid the chronic budget uncertainty that makes it difficult to plan for the future. Regular order is the best way to reduce government spending, balance our budget and prioritize the needs of federal agencies.

However, a government shutdown is the last thing we need in the midst of a public health emergency and an economic crisis. Important pandemic response and economic relief programs that the American people are counting on would be stopped or disrupted if not for this bill.

I am pleased that we reached an agreement that included full reimbursement to the Commodity Credit Corporation in this legislation. Our farmers and ranchers have faced more than enough challenges this year – extreme weather events, low commodity prices, market volatility, a global pandemic and the list just goes on and on and on. They don’t need Washington to make things even more difficult.”