The final, closely watched vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a short-term government funding bill and officially end the longest federal shutdown in history highlighted significant fractures within both political parties.
The measure, a continuing resolution (CR) designed to fund the government through early 2026 while Congress negotiates longer-term spending priorities, passed thanks to a crucial alignment of moderate Democrats with the Republican majority.
Democrats Who Broke with the Caucus
Six Democratic House Representatives chose to break with the majority of their party caucus to support the Republican-led funding measure, providing the necessary votes for its passage:
- Jared Golden (Maine)
- Adam Gray (California)
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington)
- Don Davis (North Carolina)
- Henry Cuellar (Texas)
- Tom Suozzi (New York)
These lawmakers’ votes were pivotal in securing the passage of the bill, overriding the objections of most Democrats who opposed the measure due to its limited scope and specific policy inclusions or exclusions.
Republicans Who Voted ‘No’
In a reflection of the deep divisions within the Republican caucus, two conservative members voted against the bill:
- Thomas Massie (Kentucky)
- Greg Steube (Florida)
These Republicans opposed the spending measure because they argued it failed to include the significant spending cuts and robust border security provisions that were vehemently demanded by their party’s right flank. For these members, supporting a clean funding extension without major policy concessions represented a political failure.
According to reporting by The Hill and CNN, the continuing resolution will now keep federal agencies funded while lawmakers turn their attention to the complex negotiations required to pass the remaining full-year appropriations bills.