A 43-day shutdown leaves Americans wondering why and what is next ?
By Andrew Harris
Since October 1st the US government has been closed while the US Senate stood in deadlock over policy. The Democratic Party lead by US Senator Chuck Schumer demanded healthcare subsidies be renewed in order to avoid a big hike in health insurance. The Republican Party, led by President Trump, stood with a firm no, refusing to let the minority party use full government funding to negotiate health care policy.
In the end eight democrats, all either not up for re-election or retiring, crossed the isle and voted with Republicans to end the standoff. Senator Schumer was not part of that eight and railed against the choice to end the shutdown without any agreement on healthcare subsidies. Schumers reaction to that Senate vote:
“Americans will remember Republican intransigence every time they make a sky-high payment on health insurance,”
WNY Congressman Nick Langworthy took to the House floor today and spoke to his vote to reopen the government. Watch that speech here and this is the statement just recieved from his office:
Congressman Langworthy Votes to Reopen Government, Condemns Hypocritical Democrats for Voting to Perpetuate Americans’ Suffering
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Nick Langworthy tonight released the following statement on the vote to reopen the federal government following the longest shutdown in American history. The vote passed 222-209.
“After 45 days of needless hardship, the Schumer Shutdown has finally come to an end thanks to Congressional Republicans and a handful of common-sense Democrats. For six weeks, Senate Democrats chose to play politics instead of governing–taking food off people’s tables, grounding flights, and withholding paychecks from those who serve our country.
“Democrats’ vote tonight to once again keep the government closed is further proof this was never about budgets or priorities; it was about power. Democrats gleefully used Americans as pawns for political leverage while VA employees, border agents and Coast Guard members missed paychecks while still serving, families relying on SNAP and WIC were left wondering how to feed their children, and air traffic controllers were stretched to the brink.
“Tonight, we restored order, reopened government, and put the country first. But the American people should never forget the hypocrisy or cruelty that was inflicted on them by every Democrat who voted to initiate this shutdown and keep it going. Their shameful political performance will forever be etched in the history books.”
NY Governor Kathy Hochul took the same view as Senator Schumer and issued this full statement right after the house vote:
“At a time when Republicans control every lever of the federal government, they shut it down, creating chaos in our airports, in our federal workforce, and for hungry families who depend on SNAP — all to take affordable health care away from millions of Americans.
“For 43 days, they chose dysfunction over delivering for the American people. And now their bill ends the shutdown at the direct expense of working families who face devastating premium hikes and higher health care costs.
“New York’s seven Republicans in Congress need to put their constituents first and extend Affordable Care Act tax credits in the new year. New Yorkers deserve leaders who show up and fight for them. I’ll keep fighting every day to make life more affordable.”
Hochul’s newly announced challenger for the Governor’s mansion in 2026, upstate Congresswoman Elise Stefanik from NY-21, was quick to rally behind her fellow Republicans and cast scorn at the sitting Governor. She made a detailed statement followed by what she called, “policy wins.”
“As I have done throughout my time in Congress, I have voted consistently to fund the government and opposed government shutdowns. And today I voted for the bipartisan agreement to reopen our government and end the shameful Schumer Shutdown.
For more than 40 days, Kathy Hochul cheered on the shutdown and needless pain inflicted on New Yorkers as our troops missed paychecks, families went hungry, air traffic controllers worked without pay, and millions of constituents struggled.
New Yorkers are already facing an affordability crisis, but Kathy Hochul is rooting for more devastation.
In stark contrast to the Worst Governor in America, I have consistently voted to fund the government and lifeline programs like SNAP and LIHEAP throughout my time in Congress.
In tonight’s funding bill alone I brought home key policy wins for New York’s farmers, veterans, firefighters, and health care workers.
New Yorkers deserve a governor who will deliver bipartisan results to make life more affordable. We cannot afford four more years of failed policies and shutdown gimmicks that are crushing families with economic catastrophe, sky high taxes, unaffordable rent, soaring energy costs, and record-high grocery bills.
New Yorkers deserve a governor who can deliver results and Save New York.“
POLICY WINS IN TONIGHT’S SPENDING BILL INCLUDE:
- Inclusion of $725,000,000 to support farmers, ranchers, and agricultural development.
- Inclusion of provisions from Stefanik’s Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act to protect our national security by prohibiting foreign adversaries from purchasing or controlling U.S. agricultural land and assets.
- Inclusion of provisions from the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, which Stefanik cosponsored, to protect veterans from losing their Second Amendment rights without due process.
- Inclusion of $3,280,841 in Community Project Funding for Port Henry Fire District #3 to provide technical support for the firefighters who serve there.
- Inclusion of $1,800,000 in Community Project Funding for Hopkinton Fire District to provide technical support for the firefighters who serve there.
- Inclusion of $1,000,000 in Community Project Funding for Adirondack Medical Center to expand its dialysis center and provide technical support for the medical personnel who serve there.”
With the government back in operation most Americans aren’t just wondering why, but what is next ? SNAP benefits are likely to remain in the news, full funding is now expected but when will families have those funds?
The FAA will be charged with bringing the workforce back in full, along with the nations air travel system. When will shutdown related flight disruptions end ?
Covid era healthcare subsidies have officially ended causing what appears to be an unsustainable hike in healthcare premiums for most families. Will lawmakers work together to enact new policy regarding healthcare or let the free market sort it out?
These are just a few of the questions on the mind of most Americans, and plenty of other unknowns still linger.
