While I am pleased that the passage of another Continuing Resolution (CR) has averted another government shutdown, which would have had a dire impact on the Department of Defense and our brave troops, the stark truth is that these short-term, temporary funding measures create uncertainty throughout the U.S. military and put us at a strategic disadvantage. A lack of long-term funding delays missions, undermines readiness, and inflicts unnecessary disruptions on our military families and recruitment efforts. Furthermore, functioning under a CR impedes military readiness and makes it impossible in most cases to begin or accelerate new programs. Our strategic competitors' militaries do not have to work under CRs.
To ensure the U.S. military remains prepared to meet the national-security challenges of today's complex world, and to ensure sustained American competitiveness and leadership, I urge Congress to reach a bipartisan agreement on FY 2025 appropriations this fall. As I have said before, that is not only the right thing to do, but also the best thing that Congress can do to keep our country strong and secure.