Montana senators celebrated the United States Senate’s approval of a continuing resolution to end the longest federal government shutdown in history.
On Monday, seven Democrats and one independent senator joined Republicans to reopen the federal government with a 60 to 40 vote. The federal government shutdown lasted 41 days.
The Democrats who voted for the continuing resolution were Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to vote against the bill.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and the rest of the Democrats sought an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, but those were not included in the continuing resolution.
In reaction to the vote, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) thanked the Democrats who joined Republicans in voting to reopen the federal government.
“I’m glad several brave Democrats joined Senate Republicans in voting to open up the government. We can now stop this nonsense & get back to work for the American people,” he stated.
Montana’s other senator, Tim Sheehy, issued a statement saying the federal government shutdown has been an “embarrassment to our country.”
“I’m glad to see the Senate reach an agreement tonight and look forward to reopening the government, restoring badly needed common sense in D.C., and getting back to work for the American people,” he noted.
The continuing resolution will now head to the House, where House members will vote on it. According to CBS News, the earliest the House will vote on this bill is Wednesday afternoon.
President Donald Trump stated that he will “abide by the deal,” calling it a “very good” one, The Hill reported.
If the House passes the continuing resolution, it will then go to Trump’s desk for his signature.
Not all Democrats are happy with Democratic Senate leadership and how it handled the government shutdown.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17) said Schumer, who is the Senate’s minority leader, needs to step aside, calling on more Democrats to demand his resignation. He noted Democrats are not likely to do this because they will be “offending a lot of donors.”
“Are we gonna be beholden to the donors that have gotten us two terms of Donald Trump, or are we gonna listen to people?” he asked.