Rep. Tom Cole: Shutdown is a "self-inflicted political disaster," urges quick reopening and short-term CR

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a Capitol Hill interview that the ongoing federal government shutdown is a “democratic self inflicted political disaster” and urged the Senate to move quickly to reopen the government while the House’s short-term spending measures are resolved.

Cole said the House has passed legislation to keep the government open and that the Senate — which he said currently has 55 votes in favor and is “still 5 short” of a filibuster-proof majority on an unspecified package — is now the body handling the continuation of operations. “The sooner they sober up and reopen the government, the less damage that will be done,” he said.

Why it matters: Cole warned that a prolonged shutdown creates immediate financial strain for many federal employees and service disruptions for essential functions. He said some pay dates could be delayed during the shutdown and that…