Senate Passes Bill to Reopen Government After 40-Day Shutdown
WASHINGTON – The Senate on Monday approved a bill to end a 40-day partial government shutdown, though the agreement faced opposition from some Democrats concerned about the lack of provisions addressing healthcare costs. The vote came after eight members of the Democratic caucus broke with their party to join Republicans in supporting the measure.
The bill now heads to the House, where Republicans anticipate sufficient votes for passage. If approved by the House and signed by President Trump, the legislation will fully reopen federal agencies that have been closed since late September.
California’s U.S. Senators, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, voted against the deal, citing concerns over healthcare affordability. “We owe our constituents better than this. We owe a resolution that makes it possible for them to afford healthcare,” Schiff said in a video posted Sunday night.
The agreement’s passage followed weeks of negotiations centered on federal funding and border security. While the deal does not include significant changes to healthcare policy, some Republicans have cautioned their party could face repercussions in the 2024 midterm elections without a more comprehensive healthcare plan.
“We have always been open to finding solutions to reduce the oppressive cost of healthcare under the Affordable Care Act,” said Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) on Monday.
An amendment proposed by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to protect Kentucky’s hemp industry was considered but ultimately rejected by a vote of 76-24.
President Trump indicated his support for the deal during remarks from the Oval Office, stating, “We’re going to be opening up our country… Too bad it was closed, but we’ll be opening up our country very quickly.” He also affirmed his commitment to reinstating federal workers furloughed during the shutdown, calling the deal “very good.”
Johnson stated he spoke with the President Sunday night and described Trump as “very anxious” to reopen the government. He added, “It’s after 40 days of wandering in the wilderness, and making the American people suffer needlessly, that some Senate Democrats finally have stepped forward to end the pain. Our long national nightmare is finally coming to an end, and we’re grateful for that.”
