U.S. Rep. Downing says pressure building on lawmakers as shutdown continues

HELENA — The ongoing federal government shutdown has dragged into a second week, and there’s no sign yet that lawmakers are closer to resolving the impasses that have held up funding.

U.S. Rep. Troy Downing, who represents Montana’s eastern congressional district, argues House Republicans did their job by passing a continuing resolution that would keep funding the government at existing levels. He told MTN Thursday it’s now up to Democrats to give in and allow that resolution to move forward.

(Watch the video to hear more from Downing about the ongoing shutdown.) U.S. Rep. Troy Downing discusses government shutdown

While Republicans hold the majority in both chambers of Congress, in the Senate, they need at least seven Democratic votes to clear the 60-vote threshold and avoid a filib