Editorial: Burr and Tillis fail to use power to end shutdown

CBC Editorial: Friday, Jan. 25, 2019; Editorial #8384
The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company

President Donald Trump has shut down critical portions of the federal government for 35 days -- key services are not available or operating at a reduced level.

North Carolina Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis have the power and the duty to get government up and running. They had the chance to do that job Thursday and failed.

Congress is responsible for funding government and can override a presidential veto. If Burr and Tillis were serious about their duties and responsibilities, that is what they would do.

We keep hearing that Republican senators are scared to oppose Trump because they fear they would be "primared." Tillis can use that excuse but not Burr. During his last election, as a promise of his independence, he announced he wouldn't not seek another term.

Make no mistake, Donald Trump shutdown the government because HE demands money to build a wall at the United States-Mexico border. That is it. It is NOT about broader security measures or immigration reforms.

Since the first of the year Tillis’ office has sent out news releases using the word “bipartisan” at least 21 times.

In a Jan. 4 op-ed in THE HILL newspaper, Tillis declared:
“Instead of continuing the current logjam that has resulted in a partial-government shutdown, solutions-driven members of Congress should work to produce outcomes most Americans want: ending the government shutdown, funding border security, and passing a commonsense solution for the young men and women who came to the United States as children and now compromise the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals population.”

Wow! We agree. It’s just unfortunate the words ring hollow following his actions on Thursday. Here's a bipartisan approach:

• First, pass bills to fund the government.
• Next, override Trump's veto
• Then, debate border security and immigration reform.

Backing rhetoric with deeds AND with votes that keep government working for citizens is why Burr and Tillis are in Washington.

They continue to disappoint. Enough is enough.

OPEN THE GOVERNMENT!