WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement after voting for the agreement to fund the federal government:

“While I have concerns about aspects of this bill, I will vote for it because I cannot turn my back on the two million federal employees and private contract workers who would be forced, again, to work without pay. For these federal employees and their families going without pay again would be an act of extreme cruelty which I cannot support. I am also concerned about the millions of people who would be denied access to government services.
 
“At the same time, it is clear to me that there is not a ‘national emergency’ with regard to the southern border. What President Trump is doing is unlawful and must be opposed vigorously in the courts and legislatively.”