The federal government has finally reopened after a 43-day Democrat-led shutdown. Information on next steps are included below.
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On Wednesday night, President Trump signed a modified clean Continuing Resolution (CR) into law following passage out of it in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier that evening. (The House had to pass it again because the original House-passed CR was modified.) House Republicans passed the original clean CR on September 19. The Senate voted on that CR 14 times before it was amended and passed on the fifteenth vote Monday night, November 10.
House and Senate Republicans were in agreement on a clean CR since the beginning, but the 60 votes needed to end Senate debate delayed the legislation as Democrats dug in resulting in the longest government shutdown in history. With only 53 Republican Senators, at least seven Democrats were needed to do the right thing and vote to open the federal government. In this case, eight were needed because Senator Rand Paul, Republican from Kentucky, voted with the Democrats.
After 43 long days of unnecessary gridlock, the federal government finally reopened. The American people should never have been forced to endure the consequences of a shutdown Democrats kept in place for no reason other than political posturing. It was way past time to put the games aside, get back to work, and begin the regular appropriations process to fund our government responsibly and deliver the certainty our citizens deserve.
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What the amended clean CR includes: - Extends funding until January 30, 2026
- Reopens the government and blocks any Democrat attempt of a bloated, last-minute mega-omnibus bill right before Christmas
- Includes passage of three of the twelve 2026 appropriations bills
- Has no partisan demands from either side of the aisle, including far-left attempts to restrict presidential authority
Consequences of the Democrat-Led Shutdown: - Two million federal employees didn't receive two paychecks, including TSA agents and air traffic controllers
- Thousands of flights delayed or canceled every day
- 42 million Americans lost access to SNAP benefits
- Two million armed forces personnel serving without guaranteed pay
What comes next in Congress following the Democrat-Led Shutdown: - Completing full-year appropriations
Ensuring every American feels relief from Republicans' historic Working Families Tax Cuts legislation Final Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes Defense policy and Defense spending Vote on the Epstein Files
Although the federal government is now reopen, it's going to take some time for all functions to get back to normal operations.
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This past Wednesday, Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC-03) and I held the fourth annual Water Adaption to Ensure Regional Success Summit (WATERS Summit) at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina. The non-partisan event brought together leaders from all levels of government, issue experts, and flood-mitigation professionals to share ideas and solutions for tackling inland flooding and coastal water risks. Rep. Murphy and I both joined virtually from Washington due to votes to reopen the government.
Although it was unfortunate we couldn't join in person, I’m grateful we were still able to host another successful and informative WATERS Summit this year — especially after last year’s event had to be canceled because of Hurricane Helene. That storm is another reminder of the constant threat to life and property during and after, requiring collaborative efforts among all stakeholders and at all levels of government.
The presentations and discussions focused on topics such as flood mitigation and solutions, including innovative water management as well as mitigation and recovery practices that have proven successful. I look forward to working with all our partners to turn these conversations into further meaningful action for the citizens of North Carolina.
2025 WATERS Summit speakers included: Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) (virtual), Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) (virtual), Senator Ted Budd (virtual), Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, NC House Speaker Destin Hall, NC House Majority Leader John Bell, and American Flood Coalition Director Tony McEwen. Several stakeholders were also represented, including the NC Department of Transportation, the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, the NC Soil and Water Commission, the NC Department of Environmental Quality, and the US Department of Agriculture, in addition to private organizations and leading academic institutions.
You can watch the WATERS Summit here.
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For this week's good new story, I want to share the story of true friendship. After years battling Polycystic Kidney Disease and waiting five years on the transplant list, 28-year-old Sydney Mathis finally had a match, her longtime friend 42-year-old Stephanie Daniels.
“I just knew it was the right thing to do,” said Stephanie. The two walked into Atrium Health in Charlotte arm-in-arm on surgery day. “It was just unimaginable,” said Sydney.
Sydney is one of the lucky few to receive a kidney from a friend, something her doctor says rarely happens.
You can read the full story on WWAY's website.
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"The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create." - Leonard I. Sweet |
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