UPDATE 1:37 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) - GOP-led House passes bill to avoid government shutdown for a week; faces Obama veto threat.
Previously
The US Government is facing a shutdown and local and state agencies are responding. Keep checking back here for the latest.
Sen, Coryn response
WASHINGTON - Following the passage of a one-week, stopgap spending measure today by Republicans in the House that would prevent a government shutdown and keep paychecks in place for our military, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) made the following statement in response to the President's announced intention to veto that measure:
"Funding our troops is not a 'distraction,' and a veto threat is not what our men and women in uniform need to hear from their Commander-in-Chief when they are fighting three wars. President Obama's threat to veto funding for our troops is irresponsible, and shows his willingness to shut down the federal government rather than accept responsibility and face fiscal reality.
"For nearly 200 days, our nation has operated without a budget. We have done so because Democrats, while occupying the White House and large majorities in the House and Senate, failed to pass a budget. It is imperative that the Majority Leader now allow the Senate to vote on the House passed measure which provides funding for our troops and avoids a government shutdown."
Senator Cornyn serves on the Finance, Judiciary, Armed Services and Budget Committees. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee's Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.
TxDOT Response
"TxDOT could likely handle a 2-3 week shut down as far as existing projects are concerned, thanks to our short-term borrowing program (the agency can borrow up to $500 million). A shut down could delay the award of new projects that are planned to be funded in part with federal funds because FHWA must give final approval prior to letting the project. The FHWA has currently approved most of TxDOT’s May letting, but not June."
