Nevada Senators Vote to End Government Shutdown
On Sunday, the Senate took the initial step toward ending the government shutdown after moderate Democrats, including Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, agreed to proceed with the vote.
Controversy Among Democrats
Rosen and Cortez Masto supported moving forward without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, which upset many in their caucus who wanted to continue opposing the shutdown. The vote was a procedural move, passing 60-40, aimed at advancing compromise legislation to fund the government and allow a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire in January.
Party Divisions and Leadership's Position
The agreement did not secure an extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies, a key demand by Democrats for nearly six weeks. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer voted against moving forward, joining most of his party with only eight Democrats supporting the package.
Senators’ Positions and Historical Context
While Cortez Masto had generally supported Republican-backed bills to end the shutdown, the Nevada senators had been divided on the issue. Rosen had previously stated that Nevadans "had not sent her to Washington to cave to Republicans." Nonetheless, the economic pressure from the longest shutdown in U.S. history influenced their decision.
“Nevadans had not sent her to Washington to ‘cave’ to Republicans.” – Senator Jacky Rosen
The final passage of the funding bill could still be delayed by Democratic objections over the next few days.
Summary
Despite internal party tensions, Nevada's senators crossed party lines to help move the Senate closer to ending the longest government shutdown in American history, although key issues like health care subsidies remain unresolved.
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