Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, told reporters on Wednesday the federal government shutdown is a “terrible weapon” and it should never have happened.
The government shutdown started at 12:01 a.m. early Wednesday, and Kennedy met with reporters at the Utah Capitol that afternoon.
The “clean” continuing resolution passed by Senate Republicans has not garnered enough Democratic support to clear the chamber.
Meanwhile, the spending bill proposed by Democrats would add $1 trillion in health care spending, reverse Trump’s recently approved health care cuts and permanently extend Obamacare tax credits, as the Deseret News previously reported.
The Republican-sponsored bill is nonpartisan and “promotes government spending as it currently stands,” Kennedy said.
No Republican lawmakers voted for the Democrat-sponsored Senate bill, while two Democrats and one Democrat-aligned independent senator voted for the Republican-sponsored bill. To pass, at least seven senators need to cross the aisle to vote in favor of the Republican-sponsored budget.
On Sept. 30, Kennedy introduced a new bill to prohibit members of Congress from being paid during periods of government shutdowns.
“For Congressmen, if we’re not going to pass a budget, if we’re not going to fund a government, we aren’t going to get paid either,” Kennedy said.
He continued, “I just think that’s totally appropriate. So one of the impacts that should have, and if my bill passes, congressmen are not going to be paid for the work that they’re not doing.”
A similar bill was introduced in March by Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., that would reduce members of Congress’ annual pay rate if the public debt limit is reached or a government shutdown occurs.
Kennedy: Democrats should not slide new policies into continuing resolutions
All debate about new policies “needs to happen in a committee,” Kennedy said. “They need to happen in the normal legislative process.”
The Democrat-sponsored bill included a permanent extension of Obamacare subsidies, and rescinds health care policies passed in the summer’s Big, Beautiful Bill. Among other things, it included language that would have blocked Trump from withholding congressionally approved funds.
“All we’re asking for at this point is a 45 day extension, so we can have those debates and make sure that we’re doing it the right way,” Kennedy said.
He continued, “Twelve days ago, we should have had these conversations, and the Democrats did not engage in that until we sent our continuing resolution over to them. And now all of a sudden, they’re holding the American people hostage.”
DOGE cuts not present in Republicans’ continuing resolution
Some Republican lawmakers are not happy about their party’s continuing resolution, because it keeps spending at Biden administration levels.
“We are more than $37 trillion in debt at this point. And it’s really a travesty how we don’t spend our money properly,” Kennedy said. “And when it comes to Rep. (Thomas) Massie and Sen. (Rand) Paul, I really respect their approach.”
However, Kennedy said cutting back federal spending requires patience.
He compared the country to a 250-year-old sick patient. Kennedy has a medical degree from Michigan State University, and he maintains a family medical practice in Utah.
“I’m trying with an ability to look to the long term and work things forward in a positive direction… I’m not expecting immediate results, but we need to work down that deficit, and I’m investing in making sure that happens.”
Kennedy said national parks would stay open
Earlier Wednesday morning, Kennedy said the Office of Management and Budget warned there may be reduced services in national parks during the shutdown.
But Kennedy didn’t seem worried about Utah. He referenced his ten years of service in the state’s House of Representatives and Senate. “The state of Utah is so powerful,” he said.
During previous federal government shutdowns, the state has put up money to keep Utah’s national parks open.