Washington, D.C. - Congressman Charles Rangel released the following statement after the Senate, in swift bipartisan cooperation, voted last night 79-12 to continue funding government and disaster relief agencies, such as FEMA. The Senate voted to maintain funds through November 18, 2011, in order to avert a government shutdown:

"I am pleased that my Colleagues in the Senate were able to put partisanship aside yesterday and focus on the big picture: Right now, people are hurting. America needs to get back to work. We must assure families and communities hardest hit by natural disasters nationwide they will be supported by their government in times of great need.

It has been estimated that a government shutdown would end up costing Americans more than the two parties are fighting over. It makes no sense that Republicans were fighting over $1.6 billion when a government shutdown could cost Americans over $2 billion in productivity.

My fellow Democrats and I have demonstrated our commitment to protecting thousands of American jobs House Republicans threaten to eliminate with their reckless cuts. Instead of attacking the poor, the sick, and the aged, I ask my Republican Colleagues to join our efforts to help America's working families.

The time for brinksmanship must come to an end. It's now time to put ideologies and politics aside for the sake of the American people. With this compromise we are one step closer to getting our economy back on track and prioritizing America's number one concern: jobs, jobs, jobs."