King on stopgap funding measures: ‘This is no way to govern’

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said on Thursday he will not vote for a short-term funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), saying it is not a proper way to govern. 

“I’m sick of voting for CRs. This is no way to govern. We haven’t had a budget in 20 years on time. We’ve had five CRs a year. This is the fourth one this year,” King told CNN’s Chris Cuomo on “New Day.” 

{mosads}”I think we’ve got to close this escape hatch, stop voting for CRs, and tell the leadership they’re going to have to make their deals and then we’ll get it done,” he continued. 

House Republicans pitched the plan, which would keep the government funded until mid-February, in an effort to avoid a government shutdown. 

The measure includes a six-year extension of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and delays three ObamaCare taxes. 

King is the latest senator to come out against the plan. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday he was against the plan, meaning Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will need 10 Democratic votes to prevent a shutdown.

House Republicans are close to passing the measure; however, many members of the staunchly conservative House Freedom Caucus have vowed to come out against the measure unless a conservative immigration bill is put on the floor.