WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today supported Senate approval of a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal government operations until March 4.

While supporting the measure to avert a government shutdown, Cochran indicated that he does not believe a continuing resolution is the best option to fund government services and programs.  The Senate approved the short-term CR on a 79-16 vote.

Cochran issued the following statement regarding the CR:

"The fact that we are again fighting a year-end battle over how to fund the government is extremely disappointing to me.  The failure of Congress to pass a budget resolution this year or to move toward consideration of individual appropriations bills means we have not fulfilled one of our most fundamental duties--providing for the operation of our federal government.

"While it is our only option at this point, a continuing resolution is not the best means of funding government operations.  It is an inefficient mechanism and will constrain the Defense Department and other agencies in carrying out their missions.  Continuing resolutions also deny Congress the kind of thoughtful oversight and detailed guidance that regular appropriations bills provide.

"I hope that those who opposed how the omnibus bill was crafted and presented will work with me and Chairman Inouye in the next Congress to find a way to consider the appropriations bills individually and in a timely manner."

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