KS senators respond to government funding vote

TOPEKA (KSNT) - On Monday, Nov. 10, the U.S. Senate voted 60-40 on a Continuing Resolution that will fund the government through January 2026.

After 41 days, the federal government is one step closer to reopening. The appropriations package that passed the Senate includes federal investments for Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and the Legislative Branch.

The government shutdown created uncertainty for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). In addition, many government workers were furloughed or working without pay.

Expiring tax credits for the Affordable Care Act were a big reason behind the shutdown. When they expire, experts predict health care for millions of Americans would double in cost. Democrats initially wanted to extend subsidies with the spending bill, but Republicans promised to vote on the matter separately before the end of the year. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) explains that he doesn't expect Republicans to support the subsidies.

"I don't expect republicans to support continuing to give big insurance companies 35 billion dollars a year," Marshall told 27 News. "Instead, we're going to have a better plan that we'll be offering that night, and again the focus will be taken, that money that we were giving to big insurance companies, and instead we want to give it to hard working Americans out there."

Eight Democrats joined Republicans to pass the resolution. It now heads to the House of Representatives, where Marshall says House lawmakers will vote to pass it on Wednesday.

“After weeks of stalemate in the U.S. Senate, we voted tonight to advance three annual appropriations bills and a short-term funding bill – a major step towards reopening the government,” said Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). “This legislation also included annual federal funding for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Agriculture, allowing the continued operation of critical programs like SNAP and WIC. Congress must work diligently to pass the remaining appropriations bills before the end of January to prevent another useless and unnecessary shutdown.”

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