WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Saturday after Senate Republicans failed to compromise on a plan to avert a government shutdown:

“I am very disappointed that the Republicans chose to shut down the government. Republican leader Mitch McConnell walked on to the floor knowing that he didn’t have anywhere near the 60 votes needed to pass the continuing resolution. In fact, he barely got 50 votes. Yet he insisted on going forward with a doomed resolution rather than negotiating a serious agreement with the Democrats and Republicans who opposed him. I hope, based on this vote, that he now changes his mind and begins to negotiate seriously. We must reopen the government as soon as possible.”