The Senate has voted to end the federal government shutdown after 41 days, marking the longest such closure in U.S. history. Alongside reopening the government, the Senate passed three appropriations bills for fiscal year 2026 covering Agriculture, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch. The legislative package now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) issued a statement following the vote: “Today, after nearly six weeks of paralysis, a handful of Senate Democrats finally ended their ‘resistance’ and voted to reopen the federal government. From day one, Republicans clearly stated we would not allow the government to be held hostage to advance partisan policy goals. As the longest shutdown on record ends, one thing is clear — Senate Democrats shut down the government for nothing. They inflicted weeks of pain on the American people only to accept the same deal we offered from the start. I urge my House colleagues to consider this legislation as soon as possible. It’s time to get back to work,” said Senator Schmitt.
The appropriations bills include several provisions affecting Missouri:
- $127.6 million will be allocated for future basing of B-21 Raiders at Whiteman Air Force Base.
- Measures are included for transparency regarding General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital and military housing conditions at Fort Leonard Wood.
- $50 million is designated for local water management projects in rural communities.
- Nearly $1 million will go toward expanding autism and neurodevelopment services at the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center.
- Over $2 million is earmarked for agricultural policy research centers like those at the University of Missouri.
- Funding continues for land-grant universities and competitive grants aimed at advancing agricultural research.
- Resources are provided to combat animal diseases such as chronic wasting disease and avian influenza.
- The bills maintain resources intended to help protect U.S. farmland from foreign adversaries through oversight by entities like the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.
- Additional funds are directed toward combating illegal importation and sale of Chinese e-cigarettes by supporting Federal Drug Administration enforcement.
In addition, provisions continue freezing pay increases for Members of Congress in fiscal year 2026, strengthen bans on sales of certain foreign communications equipment—including products from Huawei or ZTE—and require that any unspent congressional office budget funds be used toward debt reduction.
The package awaits further action in the House before potentially heading to President Biden’s desk.
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