Yakym votes to end the government shutdown

This news article provided by Congressman Yakym's office. 

On Wednesday, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) released a statement following the passage of the package to reopen the federal government.

“After more than 40 days, the longest government shutdown in American history has finally come to an end,” Rep. Yakym said. “Throughout this shutdown, I’ve heard directly from Hoosiers about the strain it placed on families and businesses across Indiana’s Second District. This package of appropriations bills, along with Republicans’ continuing resolution, will reopen the government, fund critical programs like SNAP and WIC, and ensure our troops, federal workers, and air traffic controllers are paid. I voted to keep the government open, and I’m proud to have voted to reopen it after Democrats chose to hold it hostage, putting politics over people while hardworking Americans suffered.”

Background:

On September 19, the House of Representatives passed a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open and protect essential services for the American people. The measure was sent to the Senate for consideration. 

While House Republicans voted to prevent a shutdown, the Senate requires 60 votes to move legislation forward. With only 53 Republican Senators, that meant Democrats needed to join Republicans to keep the government open.On 

Senate Democrats voted 14 times to block efforts to end the shutdown, until finally eight Democrats joined Republicans to pass the legislation. Their decision to keep the government shut down led to a lapse in funding for essential programs like SNAP and WIC, and no pay for our troops, federal employees, and air traffic controllers.

The new amended package will fund the government through January, restore funding for critical programs like SNAP and WIC, and ensure our troops, federal workers, and air traffic controllers receive their pay.

In addition, the package includes full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and military construction, while Congress continues negotiations on the remaining appropriations bills.