River Bend Times

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s 1st district in the U.S. Congress, issued a statement following the Senate Democrats’ rejection of a continuing resolution passed by the House, which resulted in a government shutdown.

“Tonight, Senate Democrats chose politics over people. Instead of joining Republicans and President Trump to keep the government open, they voted to shut it down to push $1.5 trillion in new spending and taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants.

The House did its job. We passed a bipartisan, clean, seven-week funding extension that keeps essential services running, protects our troops and veterans, and ensures seniors and families continue receiving the support they depend on. Democrats could have joined us — instead, they chose to hold America hostage to their far-left priorities.

As a 24-year Army veteran, I know the pain a shutdown causes for our military families and federal workers. I voted to keep the government open, and I will continue fighting to restore stability and end this unnecessary, harmful shutdown. It’s time to put America’s families, veterans, and workers ahead of partisan politics.”

The House-passed continuing resolution offered a seven-week extension of government funding without new spending or additional policy measures. The proposal received bipartisan backing in both chambers and was supported by President Trump as a way to prevent a shutdown while allowing more time for appropriations bills.

Senate Democrats rejected this measure while calling for increased spending and expanded healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants. This led to the current lapse in government funding.

Miller-Meeks has represented Iowa’s 1st District since 2021 after serving in the Iowa Senate from 2019 to 2021. She was born in Herlong, California in 1955 and currently lives in Le Claire. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University.