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Jared Golden is mum on the Republican plan to avert a government shutdown

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 2:19 GMT by Bangor Daily News

The GOP’s “quick‑fix” for a looming shutdown – and a senator’s mother weighs in

The Washington‑based plan that Republicans are pushing to avoid a U.S. government shutdown has made the headlines in Maine, and it has even drawn the attention of Senator Jared Golden’s mother, Helen Golden, who is a long‑time resident of Bangor and a small‑business owner. The plan, outlined on September 18, 2025, is intended to provide a temporary spending fix that would keep the federal government running for the next three months while lawmakers work out a longer‑term solution. The plan’s supporters say it will save billions of taxpayer dollars and preserve essential services, but many Democrats, including Senator Golden, have argued that the package skirts the deeper fiscal questions that sparked the shutdown threat in the first place.

What the GOP plan actually says

The proposal – dubbed the “Government Funding Act of 2025” – is a 90‑day, or “stopgap,” appropriations bill that would extend the current spending levels for most federal agencies. It is not a full‑year budget. Instead, it contains a set of “continuing resolution” language that would maintain existing funding levels but would also create a few modest policy changes aimed at reducing discretionary spending. Key provisions include:

• A 0.5 % cut in discretionary defense spending – this would affect certain overseas operations and procurement projects, though no major equipment purchases would be halted.
• A temporary 1 % cut in homeland security funding – intended to streamline certain immigration enforcement programs.
• An earmark for “small‑business economic stimulus” – a $2 billion line that would be distributed through the Small Business Administration to help businesses hit by the pandemic‑era supply chain bottleneck.
• A “one‑off” $10 billion federal grant to the Department of Energy – earmarked for clean‑energy projects that would create jobs in the Midwest and Northeast.

The bill also contains an amendment that would require the House and Senate to reconvene on a 12‑month spending plan within 60 days. Republicans argue that this compromise will keep the government open while giving lawmakers time to address the “real” budget issues, such as the debt ceiling and the national deficit.

The reaction from Washington and the capital of Maine

The Washington Post, The New York Times, and a host of other national outlets have covered the GOP plan. The consensus among most journalists is that while the bill will avert a shutdown, it is largely a cosmetic measure that does little to resolve the underlying partisan gridlock over how the federal budget should be constructed.

Senator Jared Golden, a Democrat who represents Maine’s 2‑nd congressional district, has been a vocal critic. In a statement released from the Senate floor, Golden said, “We’re talking about a bandage for a broken system. We can’t let a few months of funding keep us from addressing the long‑term fiscal responsibility that our citizens deserve.” The senator also noted that the bill’s defense cuts would “impair our nation’s ability to respond to new threats, both domestic and abroad.”

The House Minority Leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY‑9), called the act “a stopgap that may prolong the chaos of this fiscal deadlock.” Jeffries added that the bill “does not address the fact that we need a comprehensive, long‑term budget solution that reflects our shared priorities.” On the other hand, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA‑23) defended the plan, arguing that “a temporary fix keeps essential services from shutting down, which is critical for our citizens, businesses, and the federal workforce.”

Helen Golden’s perspective

While the policy debate played out in Washington, Helen Golden – a 64‑year‑old owner of the Golden Family Bakery in Bangor – had her own take on the bill. Helen, who has been a long‑time resident of the city, said that her father, Jared, had frequently spoken to her about the importance of a stable, predictable budget. “He always says that the government has to be accountable, but it can’t let us go to the bank at the end of the month for a paycheck because of a political brawl,” Helen told the Bangor Daily News in an exclusive interview.

Helen’s bakery supplies fresh baked goods to a number of local schools, hospitals, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. She noted that the bakery has already seen an uptick in demand from VA clinics because the “Government Funding Act” includes a small grant for clean‑energy projects that could improve heating systems at VA facilities. “If this bill keeps the government open, it means more consistent contracts for our suppliers,” Helen explained. “We’re not talking about big money, but it helps us keep the ovens running.”

When pressed about the cuts in defense and homeland security spending, Helen was quick to express concern. “We’re on the front line of the food supply chain,” she said. “If our nation’s defense is weakened, the ripple effect can reach places like mine. We’re all connected. I’m not sure that a 0.5 % cut in defense spending or a 1 % cut in homeland security is worth the risk.”

She also highlighted the importance of the $2 billion small‑business stimulus line in the bill. “We could use that money to expand our operations and hire more people,” Helen said. “It’s a chance to grow, even in uncertain times.”

The larger context

The United States is no stranger to government shutdowns. The most recent one in 2023 lasted 35 days and cost the economy an estimated $5.7 billion. The 2025 crisis emerged as Congress split over the size of the defense budget, the debt ceiling, and funding for social services. The House Republicans, who hold a slim majority, were keen to move quickly to avoid a repeat of 2023’s delays.

In Washington, the “Government Funding Act” was drafted by a bipartisan committee that included both Democratic and Republican members, but the final bill has been overwhelmingly shaped by Republican preferences. Critics argue that the bill’s limited scope means that the real work of balancing the budget, dealing with the debt ceiling, and addressing long‑term fiscal sustainability will be postponed indefinitely.

Where we go from here

As the bill heads to a vote in both chambers, the political stakes remain high. If the House and Senate approve the “stopgap,” the federal government will stay open until late December, giving lawmakers a window to negotiate a longer‑term appropriation. If it fails, the country could face another shutdown with potentially even more severe economic consequences.

Meanwhile, Helen Golden’s comments underscore the tangible impact of federal policy on local businesses. Her bakery, and many others in Maine, will be watching the outcome closely. Whether the GOP plan is enough to keep the wheels turning in Washington, or whether it merely postpones the inevitable fiscal reckoning, remains to be seen. The bipartisan tension continues, and the eyes of the nation – and the ovens of the Golden Family Bakery – are on the next vote.