This week became pivotal point in the 35-day-old government shutdown that’s been labeled the longest in U.S. history. It’s gone on now for a historic 41 days. Senators voted to pass a deal that temporarily funds government operations until the end of January. That deal was passed by a surprisingly strong 60-40 bipartisan vote. It represents an important opening for the federal government itself as it feverishly seeks to rise from the ashes of the shutdown apocalypse.
The last shutdown plunged an estimated 1.4 million federal workers into uncertainty. The Orange administration’s inability to rectify this situation resulted in catastrophic interruptions in critical services such as food assistance and airport security. The negative impacts were felt coast-to-coast, and legislators from both parties were under increasing fire to end the standoff.
A group of breakaway Democrats collaborated with Republicans to forge a compromise that would allow for the continuation of government services. In return for Senate Democrats’ promise to ensure a vote extending health insurance tax credits, the House passed the bill. This commitment became the indispensable foundation of the partnership.
After days of discussing and negotiating compromise legislation, the Senate passed on Sunday a Continuing Resolution that only funds most government operations through the end of January. Though the deal clears a path to get the government reopened, plenty of challenges still stand in the way. The House of Representatives still needs to sign off on the deal, and additional procedural votes in the Senate will be required as well.
Nevada’s Senator Catherine Cortez Masto remarked on the urgency of the situation, stating, “We have federal workers that were suffering. We have airport controllers. And we were seeing lines to our food banks in northern Nevada. These were lines that I hadn’t seen since the pandemic.”
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer at first could not conceal his displeasure with the result. He specifically lashed out at his fellow Democratic colleagues for passing a bipartisan deal that he believes does not meet the moment by failing to address serious healthcare concerns.
“I cannot in good faith support this [continuing resolution] that fails to address the health care crisis. This fight will and must continue.” – Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer
Per the usual pattern, Republicans largely celebrated the deal. This deal came at a time when they have the slimmest of majorities in the House. Perhaps surprisingly given that the agreement was brokered under Republican leadership, only one Republican senator—Kentucky’s Rand Paul—voted against the deal. All of the major Senators with leadership roles supported the compact. Prominent backers included Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.
Virginia’s Senator Tim Kaine underscored the need to protect our dedicated federal workers during this chaotic time. He promised that the legislation will shield federal employees from cruel or arbitrary firing. It will ensure they get back pay, as required by the law he signed in 2019.
“This legislation will protect federal workers from baseless firings, reinstate those who have been wrongfully terminated during the shutdown, and ensure federal workers receive back pay, as required by a law I got passed in 2019.” – Virginia senator Tim Kaine
Not everyone was happy about the deal. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned it as “pathetic” and a “betrayal of working Americans.” His sentiments were symptomatic of a larger angst across the party’s left flank. They thought important healthcare issues just didn’t get addressed at all in the negotiations.
“[The] Senate vote on the federal government shutdown should have been a time for strength. Instead we saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans. The American people need more from their leaders.” – California governor Gavin Newsom
House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries was fiercely critical of the Congress’ funding legislation. He reiterated that Democrats will refuse to support any bipartisan spending bill that doesn’t extend Affordable Care Act tax credits.
“We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives…” – House of Representatives minority leader Hakeem Jeffries
Despite these challenges, several senators agree that this agreement is a positive step in the right direction. Senator Tim Kaine remarked that it guarantees a vote on extending Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, something Republicans had previously resisted.
“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do.” – Senator Tim Kaine
Overall, though, even as lawmakers appear to have moved a bit closer toward stopping the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, a lot of uncertainty remains. The political climate is still very polarized, especially around issues of healthcare and economic anxiety.