U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan has called on congressional Democrats to support a “clean continuing resolution” to prevent a government shutdown. In an op-ed published in the Tampa Bay Times, Buchanan emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation as the deadline for federal funding approaches.
“Our clean continuing resolution offers a path forward to keep the government open and to continue to work on long-term funding bills,” Buchanan wrote. “This is how Congress should work—through cooperation, not brinkmanship. I stand ready to work across the aisle to deliver responsible solutions, and I urge my Democratic colleagues to join me so we can avoid a costly shutdown.”
Buchanan criticized what he described as unreasonable partisan demands from Senate Democrats, including calls to repeal the Working Families Tax Cut and restore taxpayer-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants. He argued that these measures would add $1.5 trillion to the national debt.
In his op-ed, Buchanan asserted that if a shutdown occurs, responsibility would lie with Democrats: “Make no mistake: If the government shuts down this week, Democrats will be fully responsible.” He cited concerns raised by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer about how average Americans could suffer in the event of a shutdown.
Buchanan highlighted potential impacts of a shutdown, such as delays in Social Security payments for seniors, loss of access to VA offices for veterans, unpaid work for troops, and paused benefits for families relying on government assistance.
He noted that the proposed continuing resolution maintains current spending levels previously approved under President Biden and does not include significant changes. Buchanan urged Democrats to support a two-month extension of current funding levels while negotiations on long-term funding continue.
Buchanan also addressed criticism regarding expiring health care subsidies included in Democrats’ alternative proposal. He argued that extending these subsidies through short-term legislation was inappropriate and called for more deliberate negotiations focused on reducing deficits and preventing waste.
Following recent incidents of political violence, Buchanan appealed for unity in Congress: “Now is the time for unity, not partisan games.”
Vern Buchanan has represented Florida’s 16th Congressional District since 2007 after succeeding Katherine Harris. The district includes Manatee County and parts of Hillsborough County. Before serving in Congress, he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives. Born in Detroit in 1951, Buchanan currently resides in Sarasota and holds degrees from Cleary University and University of Detroit Mercy.
Further details about his career are available at https://buchanan.house.gov/about/.
