Nevada Senators Cross Party Lines to End Government Shutdown
The Senate took an initial step to end the government shutdown on Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats, including Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto from Nevada, agreed to move forward despite internal opposition.
Senate Vote and Party Division
The Senate voted 60-40 in a test procedure to advance compromise legislation aimed at funding the government. This vote was the first of several procedural steps needed before final approval. The legislation does not guarantee an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which expire in January, causing frustration among many Democrats.
“Nevadans had not sent her to Washington to ‘cave’ to Republicans,” said Rosen, reflecting her previous opposition to the legislation.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer voted against moving forward with the package, along with most of his Democratic colleagues. Only eight Democrats supported the motion.
Positions of Nevada Senators
- Jacky Rosen opposed caving to Republican demands but ultimately agreed to proceed to avoid prolonging the shutdown.
- Catherine Cortez Masto had frequently supported Republican-backed bills to end the shutdown before this vote.
Implications and Outlook
The final passage of the funding bill could take several days, especially if Democrats continue to object and delay the process. The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, has imposed significant costs that pressured senators to seek a resolution.
“The costs of the longest shutdown in American history became too much to bear.”
Despite the progress, there is no assured extension for ACA subsidies, a key demand by Democrats over the past six weeks.
Author's summary: Moderate Nevada senators broke ranks to advance a government funding bill, highlighting tensions within the Democratic Party and the urgent need to end the historic shutdown.