Breaking News

More () »

local

Maine senators respond to government shutdown

The total on the procedural motion was 50-49, but 60 votes were needed to advance the bill.

WASHINGTON D.C. (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- A stopgap funding measure to continue government services failed to pass during the midnight deadline on Friday. The total on the procedural motion was 50-49, but 60 votes were needed to advance the bill.

RELATED ► US government shuts down; Dems, GOP blame each other

Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) were split on their votes. Sen. King voted 'no,' and Sen. Collins voted 'yes.'

To prevent a government shutdown that would damage our economy and disrupt health care coverage for low-income children, I voted in support of the stop-gap funding bill. A government shutdown represents the ultimate failure to govern. Read more here: https://t.co/3d7rUApucK pic.twitter.com/qniDAW9MpW
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) January 20, 2018

Both senators issued statements on Twitter and suggested what lawmakers, and the country, should do moving forward.

My statement on tonight's vote to reject the most recent continuing resolution: pic.twitter.com/n2ojotkB9D
— Senator Angus King (@SenAngusKing) January 20, 2018