Rep. Menendez & Governor-Elect, Rep. Sherrill, Vote Against Spending Plan to Reopen Government

By a vote of 222-209, the United States House of Representatives voted on Wednesday in favor of the spending plan to end the federal government shutdown.  New Jersey’s House delegation voted along political party lines for a stopgap funding bill to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

President Donald Trump signed the bill last night, ending the 43-day impasse which left millions of federal workers without paychecks, delayed SNAP food assistance, and caused massive disruptions in air travel.  The stopgap bill funds much of the government through January 30 while providing funding for some agencies through the end of September 2026.

Six House Democrats crossed party lines and joined Republicans in voting for the spending plan, with two House Republicans voting against it.  Earlier this week, seven Senate Democrats joined nearly every Republican in voting in favor of the stopgap measure.

House Democrats, Rep. Rob Menendez and New Jersey Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill voted against the spending plan to reopen the government.  No House Republican voted against it.

Congressman Menendez issued this statement on why he voted against the spending plan: “Every New Jerseyan deserves access to affordable, quality health care – a promise we should never break.  This funding bill that Republicans just passed fails to extend the ACA tax credits and will make healthcare more expensive at a time when so many Americans are stretched thin.  Individuals and families in New Jersey are already seeing the damaging consequences of this as they look to enroll in health insurance for next year.  That’s why I voted NO.  No one wants a government shutdown, but we cannot accept a deal that ignores the urgency of this moment.  This legislation fell far short of protecting access to affordable healthcare, and New Jersey families deserve better.”