Lawmakers Move To End Shutdown: How MD Senators Voted

Maryland senators voted against a deal reached Sunday to reopen the federal government, the first procedural step to end the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

A group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who say Americans want them to continue the fight.

In the first in a series of required procedural maneuvers, the Senate voted 60-40 to move toward passing compromise legislation to fund the government and hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire Jan. 1.

If the deal is to be approved, it must pass the House, and President Donald Trump then must sign it. Final passage could be several days away, NBC News reported.

Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) said in a statement beforehand that she would vote no on the continuing resolution.

“I have voted eight separate times to reopen the government. And each of those times, I voted for a CR that addresses the health care crisis Republicans have unleashed on working families across this country," Alsobrooks said. “After weeks of refusing to negotiate, Senate Republicans have finally put forth a new CR that reaffirms their indifference to the health care crisis and growing unaffordability of our country.

"As I look at this new CR, I am glad to see it includes language I fought for to reverse the draconian RIFs. But, I have maintained from the beginning of this Republican shutdown that I could not vote for anything that does not address the rising health care costs. … Marylanders are struggling to pay their bills because of soaring energy costs and grocery prices. Patriotic civil servants have been fired after years of dedicated service. Our economy has been wrecked by chaotic tariffs. And after all that, Republicans have put forth a CR today that does absolutely nothing to help struggling Marylanders afford health care."

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, said on social media: "I’ve voted 7 times to reopen the government in a way that holds Trump accountable for his lawlessness and prevents a health care crisis. I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO."

The agreement does not guarantee the health care subsidies will be extended, as Democrats have demanded for almost six weeks. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against moving ahead with the package, along with all but eight of his Democratic colleagues.

A group of three former governors — New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine — broke the six-week stalemate on Sunday when they agreed to vote to advance three bipartisan annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January in exchange for a mid-December vote on extending the health care tax credits.

Five other Democrats also voted in favor of the measure. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, home to tens of thousands of federal workers, also voted in favor of moving forward on the agreement. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen also voted yes.

The agreement includes a reversal of the mass firings of federal workers since the shutdown began on Oct. 1 and would ensure that federal workers receive back pay.

The pact also agreed to fund parts of government — food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things. All other funding would be extended until the end of January, giving lawmakers more than two months to finish additional spending bills.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly endorsed the deal and called an immediate vote to begin the process of approving it as the shutdown continued to disrupt flights nationwide, threaten food assistance for millions of Americans and leave federal workers without pay.

"The time to act is now," Thune said.

Schumer, who said he could not “in good faith” support the deal because it doesn’t restore health care subsidies, vowed Democrats “will not give up the fight.”

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said capitulating on health care would be a “horrific mistake,” and Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said in last week’s elections, people voted overwhelmingly Democratic “to urge Democrats to hold firm.”

Democrats had voted 14 times not to reopen the government as they demanded the extension of tax credits that make coverage more affordable under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans said they would not negotiate on health care, but GOP leaders have been quietly working with the group of moderates as the contours of an agreement began to emerge.

House Democrats swiftly criticized the Senate.

Texas Rep. Greg Casar, the chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said a deal that doesn't reduce health care costs is a “betrayal” of millions of Americans who are counting on Democrats to fight.

“Accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isn't a compromise — it's capitulation,” Casar said in a post on X. “Millions of families would pay the price.”

Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota posted that “if people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you.”

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans and said Democrats will continue to fight.

"Donald Trump and the Republican Party own the toxic mess they have created in our country and the American people know it," Jeffries said.

Rep. Johnny Olszewski, a Democrat from Baltimore County, tweeted on Sunday: "Day 40 of the GOP shutdown — the longest in U.S. history. Federal workers are still unpaid. Families are going hungry. Flights are getting canceled. Healthcare costs have skyrocketed. It’s past time for Trump and House GOP to end their reckless shutdown."

Rep. Andy Harris, a Republican, said on social media: "Marylanders have @ChrisVanHollen, @Sen_Alsobrooks and @GovWesMoore — who’s supporting their continued votes to keep the government shut down — to blame for this mess. It’s time for our two senators to stop grandstanding and vote to reopen the government."

It's unclear whether the two parties would be able to find any common ground on the health care subsidies before a promised December vote in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, has said he will not commit to bringing it up in his chamber.

Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the COVID-19-era tax credits as premiums could skyrocket for millions of people, but they also want new limits on who can receive the subsidies and argue that the tax dollars for the plans should be routed through individuals.

Other Republicans, including Trump, have used the debate to renew their years-long criticism of the law and called for it to be scrapped or overhauled.

Meanwhile, the consequences of the shutdown have been compounding. U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights on Sunday for the first time since the shutdown began, and there were more than 7,000 flight delays, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.

Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy said on CNN's "State of the Union" that air travel ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday will be "reduced to a trickle" if the government doesn't reopen.

At the same time, food aid was delayed for tens of millions of people as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were caught up in legal battles related to the shutdown.

And in Washington, home to tens of thousands of federal workers who have gone unpaid, the Capital Area Food Bank said it is providing 8 million more meals ahead of the holidays than it had prepared for this budget year — a nearly 20 percent increase.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.