For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Patriotic Millionaires: Senate Democrats cannot back the Continuing Resolution
Shutting down the government is a small price to pay for American democracy. Republicans handed Democrats an embarrassingly bad deal. The fact that they are considering voting for it, is why they lose.
WASHINGTON, DC – Following reports that Senate Democrats appear poised to cave and ultimately back the Continuing Resolution that passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening in order to avoid a government shutdown, Erica Payne, Founder and President of Patriotic Millionaires, released the following statement:
“In normal times, lawmakers should avoid a shutdown. These are not normal times. We have been to this movie before. Democrats refuse to stand up, they offer concessions that further break our democratic system and allow for Republicans to escape unscathed from the social and fiscal damage they have caused our society. Republicans have handed Democrats an embarrassingly bad deal, and those who are considering voting for this bill are accepting a truth to expand the unelected powers of Elon Musk and his allies. Let me be clear: American democracy is worth a government shutdown.
But Senate Democrats appear ready to cave to the demands of Republicans and sacrifice the needs of working people at the altar of the ultra-wealthy as they continue to reap the benefits of our broken system.
If Senate Democrats provide the votes that Republicans need to pass their Continuing Resolution, they will continue to be trampled by an empowered Elon Musk and DOGE. Meanwhile, ultra-wealthy tax cheats will have a green light to continue to commit tax murder, as the bill strips the last remaining $20 billion in enforcement funds that the IRS received through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. If Republicans were truly concerned about fiscal responsibility, they would not cut vital funding for the IRS. Democrats must call Republicans on their bluff, or acknowledge that by providing their votes for the Continuing Resolution, they are participating in the con to eliminate the tax burden of the ultra rich.
When the Continuing Resolution comes before the Senate, Democrats have no other option but to offer an emphatic ‘no’ vote. They have the power, and it is on them to use it to save American democracy. Anything less than that is a betrayal to the public who are dependent on their elected officials to protect their interests and livelihoods and save them from the oligarchy forming before us.”
For interview requests with Erica Payne or other members of the Patriotic Millionaires, please contact Emily McCloskey at [email protected].
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