Discover the Democrats Who Voted to End the Government Shutdown

In a significant political move, seven Senate Democrats and one independent member broke ranks to support a Republican-led deal aimed at ending the U.S. government shutdown. This coalition emerged after weeks of partisan deadlock, with the Democratic Party largely resisting pressure to conclude the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Central to their hesitation were concerns over expiring healthcare subsidies that would affect millions of families.

Democrats Who Voted to End the Government Shutdown

Here are the key members of the group that sided with Republicans, along with their justifications for their votes:

• Tim Kaine (Virginia) – Kaine, notable for being Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016, highlighted the necessity of protecting federal workers from unjust firings and ensuring they receive back pay. He noted that Virginia is home to approximately 300,000 federal employees impacted by the shutdown.
• Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) – A principal architect of the bipartisan deal, Shaheen emphasized that the negotiations aimed to restore essential funding for food assistance and veterans’ healthcare. She warned that delaying a deal would worsen the situation for Americans affected by the shutdown.
• Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire) – Hassan cited the severe impact of the shutdown on her constituents, underscoring the urgent need for a functioning government to support vital services and protect vulnerable populations.
• Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada) – After voting multiple times to reopen the government, Masto pointed out the struggles faced by federal workers and food banks in northern Nevada, reflecting on the widespread hardship caused by the shutdown.
• John Fetterman (Pennsylvania) – A centrist Democrat, Fetterman expressed regret over the prolonged shutdown, stating it should never have reached such a critical point. He emphasized his consistent opposition to the shutdown throughout the previous 40 days.
• Jacky Rosen (Nevada) – Rosen, who previously did not support Republican efforts, aligned with them after negotiations yielded a commitment to that promised a vote on extending healthcare subsidies. This was viewed as a crucial concession for her party.
• Dick Durbin (Illinois) – As the only member of the Democratic leadership to vote for the deal, Durbin acknowledged flaws in the bill but argued it represented important progress in alleviating the shutdown’s negative impacts.
• Angus King (Independent, Maine) – King, who often collaborates with Democrats, played a pivotal role in negotiating the healthcare aspects of the deal, stating it brought the country closer to critical discussions on Affordable Care Act tax credits.

Implications of the Deal

The passage of this bipartisan agreement marks a turning point in the ongoing struggle over government funding and healthcare policies. With the commitment to vote on extending healthcare subsidies in December, the deal may lay the groundwork for further cooperation between parties in a divided Congress.

As the dust settles, these senators have underscored the importance of bipartisanship in governance, especially when facing crises that impact ordinary Americans. Their willingness to work across the aisle demonstrates a commitment to finding solutions amid rising healthcare costs and the urgent needs of federal employees.