By: Richard L. Smith
Overnight, Congress advanced a funding agreement aimed at reopening the federal government after more than 40 days of shutdown.
Under the emerging deal, funding would be extended through January 2026, and select appropriations bills, for veterans affairs, agriculture, and the legislative branch, would be enacted.
But the agreement reflects significant concessions by Democrats in the face of mounting pressure.
According to NPR, while the measure restores pay for furloughed federal workers and blocks further layoffs through early next year, it notably does not include an immediate extension of the health-care subsidy program known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced tax credits, a key demand from Senate Democrats.
In a clear display of resistance, New Jersey’s Senate Democrats, including Cory Booker, voted no on the motion to advance the deal.
Booker said he “cannot in good faith support” the legislation because it leaves health-care issues unaddressed.
Andy Kim (D-NJ) also opposed the funding agreement, saying it was unacceptable to support a deal that, in his words, could be “turned around and used to dismantle the very government it’s meant to sustain.”
In the House, Democrats from New Jersey joined their colleagues in opposing the resolution, arguing the price of reopening the government is too steep if critical health and social programs are sidelined.
The vote tally shows a clear split: many Democrats crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans, but the New Jersey contingent stood with party leadership in dissent.
While the agreement represents a major breakthrough on Capitol Hill, it does not immediately reopen the federal government.
The measure still needs to pass final votes in both the Senate and the House of Representatives before heading to the President’s desk for his signature.
Only after the President signs it into law will federal agencies, workers, and public services officially resume operations.
That process could take several days, or even a week, depending on how quickly lawmakers finalize the legislative language and complete the formal approval steps.
For now, the deal opens the door to restoring government services and federal paychecks, but key policy fights remain unresolved, and New Jersey’s Democrats are making it clear they won’t rubber-stamp the outcome without the broader protections their constituents expect.