Government Shutdown

Like many people in this state, I am watching what is going on in Washington with frustration. I hope this government shutdown can be resolved soon, allowing Congress to once again attend to the people’s business and thousands of hard-working federal employees to get back to work serving their country and providing for their families. One of my greatest sources of pride is the passage of a balanced budget within the time parameters laid out in the Constitution every year during my time in the General Assembly – 15 years running. 

The Missouri Constitution requires the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget by 6 p.m. on the first Friday after the first Monday in May. A balanced budget means we cannot spend more money than what is collected. In other words, the state of Missouri cannot deficit spend like they do in Washington. In all my years working in the General Assembly, through hard work and spirited debate, we have always met this deadline and passed a balanced budget. 

Unfortunately, for far too long, we constantly see the opposite in Washington. Congress fails to pass a balanced budget by the deadline, causing government shutdowns like the one we see happening today. This results in most functions of the federal government not being fulfilled and many federal employees not receiving paychecks.

This is an untenable situation. I am hopeful Congress can figure this shutdown out sooner rather than later and get the federal government up and running again. Perhaps most importantly, they need to address the broken cycle that is the federal budget process. I believe a long-term, vital goal for our leaders in Washington is to steal a page from Missouri’s Constitution and require the passing of balanced, on-time budgets. The only way to get control of the federal deficit - a debt that hangs over the head of each and every U.S. citizen - is to stop spending money we don’t have.

This change will not be easy. It starts with making tough spending decisions like we do in Missouri, and like every working family does when planning their household spending. Budgets are a statement of priorities, and no person or government can spend money on everything they want. Eventually the money runs out. It is important for our federal government to demonstrate some of the fiscal discipline we show here in Missouri before that inflection point hits, and it’s too late.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.