Lawmakers speak out after federal government reopens

(The Center Square) - As Congress passed a funding deal to reopen the federal government on Wednesday night, California’s state legislators and congressional delegation spoke out about the push in D.C. to end the shutdown.

Some lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with the deal, while some have stated their support for it.

“Republicans stood strong and unified against the Democrats’ political charade,” wrote Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Palm Desert, in a statement on Facebook on Wednesday. “By standing together alongside President Trump, Republicans will continue to put America on the right path.”

The federal government shutdown, at a record 43 days, started Oct. 1 after Democrats in Congress voted to not pass a funding resolution that would have kept the federal government open through the end of the year. The main sticking point for Democrats in Congress: a pandemic-era subsidy on health insurance premiums.

The subsidies were meant to make health insurance more affordable for many Americans, primarily low-income families and older policy holders. Republicans in Congress wanted to wait until after passing a funding resolution to debate whether to continue funding the subsidies, which were set to expire at the end of 2025.

However, without coming to an agreement before funding ran out at the end of September, the federal government was forced to shut down until Congress passed the funding resolution. On Sunday, a small contingent of Democratic senators broke with the party to vote with Republicans to pass the funding package.

“Finally, thank God, eight of them put country ahead of party and voted to end this madness,” said U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-El Dorado Hills, in the House chamber on Wednesday. “Hearing the bitter recriminations from our leftist colleagues, it seems unlikely we’ll see much bipartisanship today. But with or without them, we will reopen the government tonight and get back to addressing the challenges that confront our country.”

As the deal to end the shutdown came close, some lawmakers started releasing statements early in the week.

“I have been clear that I will not support a Republican spending bill that raises health care premiums for over 20 million Americans,” said Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Antioch, in an emailed newsletter on Monday. “I have heard time and again that affordability continues to be the top concern of families here in CA-10 [the 10th House district] and across the country. I will continue fighting to lower costs, protect health care, and preserve the rule of law.”

The lack of funding for federally-funded programs and services caused a slew of problems across the country - something lawmakers had in mind as they made their decision about how they were going to vote.

“Today, I voted again just as I did nearly two months ago, to open the government and get essential services back up and running in our community and across the nation,” wrote Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, in a statement released late Wednesday.

This included a lapse in funding for the federally-funded food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or CalFresh in California. Head Start programs across the country were faced with having to close their doors during the shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration reduced flights by as much as 10% at major airports across the country, The Center Square previously reported. Those flight reductions started last Friday, and included airports like San Francisco International, San Diego International, Los Angeles International and Ontario International.

Democratic lawmakers in D.C. still voiced support for using the funding package deal as an opportunity to allow Americans to keep their insurance rates low by extending health insurance subsidies, some lawmakers said in statements sent out to their constituents earlier this week.

“I was disappointed by the spending agreement proposed by the Senate because it fails to meet the urgent needs of our communities, especially protecting affordable health care,” wrote U.S. Rep. Derek Tran, D-Cypress, in a newsletter sent on Monday. “I’ll keep fighting to preserve access to the care that every member of our community deserves.”

Other Democratic members of California’s Congressional delegation who said they would vote against the deal this week included Reps. Julia Brownley, D-Thousand Oaks; Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose.

While some Republican congressional representatives voiced “disappointment” that almost every Democrat in Congress voted against the bill that will now fund the federal government through Jan. 30, some said this week that the funding deal will return federal government operations back to normal.

“Reopening the government will restore stability for our federal workers, return air travel to normal, improve public safety operations, and ensure families and businesses can rely on the government services they depend on,” wrote Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Hesperia, in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

SNAP and CalFresh benefits

State legislators who didn’t voice support for or opposition to the funding deal in Congress this week instead highlighted resources their constituents could access if they needed help amid the government shutdown.

“The federal shutdown has created real hardship for families across our district, particularly for federal workers and CalFresh (SNAP) recipients who may have delays with November benefits,” wrote state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, in a newsletter released on Wednesday. “We're monitoring developments closely and will continue fighting to protect our most vulnerable residents.”

According to Durazo’s newsletter, constituents of the 26th State Senate district, which she represents, can get help with groceries by visiting lafoodbank.org or calling 211 for help. In addition, agencies such as Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation and the city of Los Angeles’ Department of Aging connect residents with food programs, Durazo wrote in the newsletter.

The Center Square also reported on Thursday that in spite of the funding package passing in Congress, the federal government will reopen slowly.