Nevada Senators Support Vote to End Government Shutdown
On Sunday, the Senate took an initial step to end the government shutdown after moderate Democrats, including Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, agreed to move forward without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies. This decision upset many in their party who wanted to keep fighting for those benefits.
Senate Vote and Party Division
The Senate voted 60-40 in a procedural test to advance compromise legislation aimed at funding the government. This move sets up a future vote on renewing Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which are set to expire in January. Despite the progress, final approval could be delayed if Democrats continue to raise objections.
Disagreement Over ACA Subsidies
The agreement does not assure the extension of ACA subsidies, a key demand by Democrats during the almost six weeks of shutdown talks. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer opposed moving forward with the proposal, joined by most of his caucus except eight Democrats who supported it.
Split Among Nevada Senators
Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto had differed over the issue. Cortez Masto repeatedly supported the Republican-backed plan to end the shutdown. Meanwhile, Rosen previously opposed caving to Republicans, expressing that she was elected not to yield easily. However, the prolonged shutdown's mounting costs pressured both to support proceeding.
"Nevadans had not sent me to Washington to 'cave' to Republicans," said Senator Rosen.
The government is facing its longest shutdown in history, and mounting pressures have influenced crossing party lines to seek resolution.
Author's Summary
Two Nevada Democratic senators crossed party lines to help advance a bill ending the shutdown, despite internal party conflict over health care subsidies.