Democrats Support Funding Package to End Government Shutdown
In a significant political development, a funding package aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in modern U.S. history garnered support from several moderate House Democrats. The bill, which passed the House late Wednesday, was subsequently signed into law by President Trump and will keep the government operational until January 30.
Overview of the Bill
The legislation not only reverses federal layoffs incurred during the shutdown but also includes three-year funding provisions for various sectors: military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs; the Department of Agriculture and the FDA; and operations related to the legislative branch. The bill successfully passed through the Senate earlier this week following negotiations between Republican leaders and a group of eight Democratic senators, who agreed to support the bill in exchange for a commitment from the GOP to hold a separate vote on extending expiring health insurance tax credits.
Key House Democrats Who Supported the Bill
Jared Golden of Maine
Rep. Jared Golden, representing a predominantly rural district in northern Maine, was a notable backer. He had previously voted in favor of a GOP-backed measure aimed at preventing the shutdown. Criticizing "hardball politics" from progressive factions, Golden emphasized the importance of reopening the government to ensure federal workers are paid and vital programs resume. He underscored the urgency to take action on extending health insurance subsidies, which are set to expire at year's end.
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, known for her occasional divergence from party lines, proclaimed her vote was necessary to end what she described as a "partisan car crash of a shutdown." She expressed frustration with Congress's inability to resolve critical issues and highlighted the urgent needs of citizens relying on programs like SNAP (food assistance).
Henry Cuellar of Texas
Rep. Henry Cuellar, who has represented Texas' Rio Grande Valley for over two decades, cited "Washington's inaction" as causing unnecessary hardship, particularly in relation to food aid disruptions. Following the vote, he called for an extension of the health insurance tax credits, noting that the American public bears the losses in political showdowns.
Adam Gray of California
Rep. Adam Gray articulated his reasoning for supporting the bill in a local op-ed, stressing the necessity of funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) until the end of September. He condemned the use of vulnerable Americans as political pawns and advocated for bipartisan cooperation to ensure food security while continuing to address healthcare costs.
Don Davis of North Carolina
Rep. Don Davis acknowledged the suffering reported by constituents during the shutdown and stated that his support for the bill was a step towards alleviating that struggle. He signaled a commitment to continue fighting for healthcare access and condemned failures from both sides of the aisle.
Tom Suozzi of New York
Rep. Tom Suozzi conveyed cautious optimism about bipartisan efforts to extend the Premium Tax Credits. While expressing reliance on promises from Republican colleagues, he criticized the White House for complicating the process and highlighted the destructive impact of the shutdown on federal aid programs.
These six moderate Democrats demonstrated a willingness to collaborate across party lines to address immediate needs arising from the shutdown, advocating for not only the reversal of layoffs but also continued support for critical health insurance protections.