Downing says pressure building on lawmakers as shutdown continues

Jonathan Ambarian

HELENA (KPAX) — 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.

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 filibuster. So far, only three Senate Democrats have supported the “clean” continuing resolution.

Democrati