John –

Republicans chose to shut down the federal government and now, airlines are being forced to cancel hundreds of flights this weekend and into next week leaving American passengers annoyed and frustrated at airports across the country.

Instead of funding a responsible budget that pays for our wants and needs as a country, Republicans are refusing to negotiate, which will ultimately raise our insurance premiums, defund SNAP food assistance, and strip every bit of buffer from our budgets that they can.

It's spineless and cowardly.

And the longer they hold out on funding the government, the more cancelled flights and closed airports we're going to see.

I'm ready to pass a bipartisan budget – but I will not vote for one that raises your insurance premiums, keeps kids hungry, or fires so many air traffic controllers we have to cancel flights.

The Republican majority needs to get back to Washington and do their jobs. When they're ready, I'll be here.

Val