Omaha, Neb. – Hours away from a government shutdown, Don Bacon just voted for a measure from the far-right that slashes funding for essential programs, including in education, law enforcement, Social Security services, and agriculture by 30%, betraying his words to Nebraskans and once again revealing we can never trust what he says.

“The ability by Don Bacon to talk out of both sides of his mouth is truly astounding. After claiming all week Republicans needed to work with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown, Bacon just showed us all his true colors. In the end he’ll only ever do what the far-right bosses of the Republican Party tell him to do,” said Senator Tony Vargas. “Instead of working across the aisle, he joined extremists to slash funding for law enforcement, education, small businesses, and more. In Congress, just as I always have in the Nebraska Legislature, I’ll always do what’s right for Nebraskans and for our country - no matter what.”

Don Bacon voted with his party bosses to:

• Slash funding for the FBI and DEA, while also cutting funding that could lead to the elimination of hundreds of state and local law enforcement positions.

• Cut Social Security Administration funding that could lead to closing SSA field offices that seniors rely on.

• Slash education funding that could lead to the loss of nearly 150,000 teachers and service providers and kick 275,000 kids out of Head Start.

• Cut funding to help Nebraskans afford rising energy costs by 74%.

• Cut $2.7 billion from Army Corps of Engineers infrastructure projects, including flood prevention measures.

• Cut SBA Entrepreneurial Development programs that support small businesses by 30%, potentially cutting support to 400,000 small businesses.

• Cut funding for the Rural Housing Service and Rural Utility Service programs that help rural residents afford homes and utilities.

• Cut funding for loan and grant programs for farmers.

• Cut funding for Community Health Centers.