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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), released the following statement after voting no on the deal to reopen the federal government:

“I voted no on the Senate’s deal to reopen the government because it fails to address the most urgent needs of the American people. For more than forty days, Democrats have fought for affordable health care and for families struggling to make ends meet. Letting the Affordable Care Act subsidies expire will knock millions off their insurance and raise costs at a time when people can least afford it.

“Democrats have been ready to work since day one to find a bipartisan solution, but Speaker Johnson dissolved the House of Representatives for six weeks and refused to negotiate. That paralysis made it impossible to tackle the issues most Americans care about. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration has only made the crisis worse by laying off more federal workers and cutting off food assistance for hungry families.

“Although I voted no, I respect the desire to bring relief to those suffering from this shutdown. Federal employees have gone weeks without pay, families have gone hungry, and travelers have faced major disruptions. While the government will reopen tonight, our work is far from over. We must keep building a broad coalition to protect access to health care, support working families, and hold this administration accountable.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Once again, Congressman Griffith joined House Republicans in passing a continuing resolution, Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371 – the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. This continuing resolution now heads to President Donald Trump for his approval. The government shutdown began on October 1, and due to Democratic Party political theater, has lasted 42 days.

Additionally, the government funding bill includes three full-year appropriations bills, such as the agriculture appropriations bill. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) secured federal funding in the agriculture appropriations bill for the following Ninth District projects: 

Project Name: Town of Pennington Gap Multipurpose Facility Project

Recipient Name: Town of Pennington Gap, Virginia

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Amount Received: $2,000,000

Project Name: Town of St. Paul: A Safer St. Paul – Public Safety Building Project

Recipient Name: Town of St. Paul, Virginia

Amount Requested: $2,750,000

Amount Received: $2,750,000

Project Name: Weber City Volunteer Fire Department New Building Acquisition and Renovation Project

Recipient Name: Weber City Volunteer Fire Department

Amount Requested: $800,000

Amount Received: $600,000

Following passage of the government funding bill and the inclusion of federal funding for Ninth District projects, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement: 

“Investments in public facilities and safety help Ninth District officials provide for their respective local communities.

“I am glad to help secure these funds through the agriculture appropriations bill to bolster public buildings and safety in the communities of Pennington Gap, St. Paul and Weber City. Now that the government is reopening, I look forward to working on advancing the other appropriations bills.”

BACKGROUND

This revised continuing resolution extends government funding through January 30 and also includes full-year appropriations bills for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Legislative Branch.

The above community project funding requests were submitted by Rep. Griffith for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. No submitted requests were approved for fiscal year 2024 because Congress failed to advance full-year appropriations bills.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Scott Peters released the following statement after voting no on the Continuing Resolution that still fails to address the healthcare crisis:

“It’s good news that the longest government shutdown will end today. Many people who need food assistance will see their benefits restored. Air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and other federal employees who have been working without pay will be compensated. Our service members will not need to worry about the status of their next paycheck. 

“I voted against the continuing resolution on September 30th because vital health care tax credits were about to run out – a matter that should have been fixed by President Trump and Republican congressional leadership long before this funding deadline. The President’s overt assertions that he can spend or withhold money in the budget as he likes, known as impoundment, are unconstitutional and illegal and that issue was also not discussed.

“I voted against the resolution again today because those two items are still not addressed in this bill. Now we move to an actual budget negotiation to conclude in January. Health care costs are exploding – Democrats want to reverse that. I hold out hope that Congress will reaffirm its sole authority over the power of the purse and that the President abides by the deal Congress makes to fund the government. If those matters are resolved in ongoing negotiations, I’d expect to vote yes in January.

“The progress that was made in the Senate since September 30th to stop illegal firings and protect food assistance in the event of another shutdown occurred because Senators of both parties spoke to each other in good faith. Republicans are in charge. They need to begin working with Democrats on a budget deal immediately because they will need Democratic votes again. This ridiculous shutdown could have been avoided or minimized if they hadn’t pretended that they could force Democrats to take the bad deal without any say in the matter. I hope the appropriations process now returns to our nation’s longstanding tradition of bipartisan negotiation on behalf of the American people.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

San Diego, CA – Today, Rep. Peters released the following statement as the government shutdown stretches to day 36 and becomes the longest in our nation’s history:

“The consequences of this shutdown for Americans are only growing more dire. Tens of thousands of San Diegans have missed a paycheck. Nearly 400,000 don’t have enough food to eat as SNAP benefits hang in the balance. Without the extension of critical tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, 28,000 CA50 residents will see their healthcare costs skyrocket.   

“During previous shutdowns, Members of Congress were required to stay in Washington to vote as negotiations went on, which meant we were talking constantly about how to end the shutdown. This time, Speaker Johnson cancelled votes indefinitely and sent us all home, so there are no discussions happening. Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House. We need Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson to act as the independently elected leaders of a co-equal branch of government that they are, rather than waiting for President Trump to give them permission to negotiate with Democrats.  

“I introduced the No Budget No Pay Act to prevent Congress from getting paid unless it does its job and passes a budget on time. Putting our paychecks on the line alongside servicemembers and federal workers and requiring Members of Congress to stay in Washington during a shutdown, would light a fire under Congress to end the gridlock. 

“Also, during the shutdown, I donate my weekly take-home pay to local nonprofits working to support San Diegans who are suffering because of the shutdown. I have donated to Support the Enlisted Project (STEP), the San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego, Interfaith Community Services, and Serving Seniors. 

“I will continue doing everything I can to support San Diegans and re-open the government as soon as possible. Find a detailed FAQ on what a shutdown means for essential services and San Diego families here.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON — Congressional Progressive Caucus Deputy Chair Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) issued the following statement following the House vote on the Senate spending deal to reopen the government:

“Today, my Progressive Caucus colleagues and I unanimously voted against the Senate deal on government funding today, just as we unanimously opposed the partisan House bill in September. Progressives were clear from the beginning of this fight: the American people need Congressional Democrats to demand real relief, not empty promises. 

“This deal does nothing to stop healthcare premiums from doubling for tens of millions of Americans or stop 4 million people from losing their coverage. It allows Trump to continue violating the law and withhold funds that Congress already approved. And in an egregious last-minute maneuver, this bill attached language that allows eight Senate Republicans to extract millions of dollars from taxpayers by suing the government for investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

“The public rightly recognizes that Trump and Congressional Republicans are to blame for the longest government shutdown in history, exploding healthcare costs, and the cruel and needless punishment of 42 million Americans receiving nutrition support. And the American people stood with Democrats as we stood firm and fought for Americans’ right to healthcare. Over the past two months, Progressive Caucus members sounded the alarm on behalf of Americans in districts across the country who won’t be able to afford their insulin or chemotherapy due to the Republicans’ healthcare crisis. As this shutdown ends, we are more committed than ever to the fight for health care as a human right.” 

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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is made up of nearly 100 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests. The CPC champions policies including comprehensive immigration reform, good-paying jobs, fair trade, universal health care, debt-free college, climate action, and a just foreign policy. The caucus is the leading voice calling for bold and sweeping solutions to the urgent crises facing this nation, including ending America’s broken for-profit health care system, raising American wages, eliminating political corruption, supporting the labor movement, and taking action to protect the planet for generations to come.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement on the Government Spending Bill:

“This legislation fails to meet the moment. Working Minnesotans will pay the price for this beyond inadequate spending bill. I have heard from countless Minnesotans expressing their frustration and worry on how they will afford their healthcare payments. It is shameful that thousands of Minnesotans and millions of Americans will see their premiums double or lose their healthcare coverage all together. I am outraged that Republicans in Congress and 8 Senate Democrats put us into this situation. Nearly 400,000 Minnesotans will see their premiums increase by an average of 21.5% more each month for the same coverage, with others facing even greater hikes. To put that into perspective, a Minnesota family making $85,000 a year will see their annual health insurance premiums rise by nearly $16,000 – that’s an extra $1,300 a month. People will die from these unconscionable cuts. For those reasons, I will vote NO.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON — Following a survey of its members, the Congressional Progressive Caucus announced its official position to oppose the current Senate deal to reopen government, which includes no provisions to guarantee affordable healthcare and protect tens of millions of Americans from massive price spikes to their premiums, and imposes no strong guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from violating appropriations laws.

 

“The Senate-passed bill is a betrayal of working people and massively fails to address the urgent needs of the American people,” said CPC Deputy Chair Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05). “The Progressive Caucus stands united in opposing this sham deal. Instead of working toward a fair deal, House Republicans refused to negotiate and abdicated their duty to serve the American people. The Senate-passed bill is morally bankrupt. It is indefensible to allow more than 20 million Americans to see their premiums double and let millions lose their healthcare coverage. Healthcare is a human right, and this bill contradicts that fundamental principle. Make no mistake, people will die from these skyrocketing healthcare costs, paired with Republicans’ brutal Medicaid cuts.

 

“It is utterly devastating that working people will pay the price for this inadequate legislation,” Omar continued. “The adoption of this official caucus position by a supermajority of our caucus not only demonstrates our members’ overwhelming opposition to this bill on the House floor, but our shared commitment to continue fighting for universal healthcare and constitutional governance in the face of Trump’s corrupt and authoritarian administration.”

 

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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is made up of nearly 100 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests. The CPC champions policies including comprehensive immigration reform, good-paying jobs, fair trade, universal health care, debt-free college, climate action, and a just foreign policy. The caucus is the leading voice calling for bold and sweeping solutions to the urgent crises facing this nation, including ending America’s broken for-profit health care system, raising American wages, eliminating political corruption, supporting the labor movement, and taking action to protect the planet for generations to come.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, DC – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi transformed the Speakership, revolutionized the power of women in government, and wielded the gavel to work for the American people. As the daughter of a U.S. Congressman and raised in an Italian-American family, Speaker Pelosi fully appreciated and always acted upon her obligation to give back to her community and country that gave her and her family so much opportunity. With that foundation, Speaker Pelosi not only excelled as a public servant, but also became the most powerful Speaker in modern history. She embraced the authorities of Article One of our Constitution and ensured that Congress not only acted as a proper check and balance, but also worked to legislate landmark bills to provide affordable healthcare, get us through the pandemic, play our part in the climate crisis, further equal rights, reduce gun violence, and more as she fulfilled her unwavering commitment to future generations.

Throughout her journey, Speaker Pelosi withstood unimaginable attacks politically and personally that few people and leaders could endure. As we face divisions within our politics, political parties, and as a country, we always must look to her love for our country and Congress, her never ending humility and grace, and her amazing ability to unify. Because of her, I will never forget that our diversity is our strength, but our unity is our power. Her presence and style will be missed in Congress. But her legacy of service and leadership has left us a pathway upon which each side’s politics, her congressional colleagues, and our constituents can always strive to move forward.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta, a member of the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees, and House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025.  This bipartisan bill would prevent future government shutdowns and force Congress to stay in Washington, D.C. until they reach an agreement on a budget. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK).

“As I’ve seen throughout my limited time in Congress, and as our nation has seen this past month, federal government shutdowns hurt working families,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would prevent either party from walking away from the negotiating table and ensure that Congress works together to fund our government. It’s a commonsensical and straightforward piece of bipartisan legislation that, unfortunately, is needed at times like this to ensure that Congress does its job.”

Rep. Panetta’s bill comes as the federal government is in the 5th week of a shutdown after Congress failed to come to an agreement on FY2026 appropriations bills. The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would require all Members of Congress to stay in Washington, D.C., until work on the spending bills is completed. The legislation would remove the threat of future government-wide shutdowns, guarantee continued critical federal services for Americans, and prevent federal employees from being furloughed or being required to work without pay.

Background on the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act:

Upon a lapse in government funding, the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would implement an automatic continuing resolution (CR), on rolling 14-day periods, based on the most current spending levels enacted in the previous fiscal year.  This would prevent a shutdown and continue critical services and operations.

During the covered period of an automatic CR, the following restrictions are put in place:

• No taxpayer-funded travel allowances for official business (except one flight to return to Washington, DC) for the following:
  • White House OMB staff and leadership
  • Members of the House and Senate
  • Committee and personal staff of the House and Senate
• No official funds may be used for CODEL or STAFFDEL travel
• No use of campaign funds by congressional offices to supplement official duties or travel expenses
• No motions to recess or adjourn in the House/Senate for a period or more than 23 hours

In addition, under the bill, no other votes would be in order in the House and Senate unless they pertain to passage of the appropriations bills, lifting the debt limit, or mandatory quorum calls in the Senate.  However, after 30 days under the automatic CR, certain expiring authorization bills and executive calendar nominations would be eligible for consideration on the Senate floor, including a nomination for a Justice of the Supreme Court or a Cabinet Secretary, and narrow reauthorization legislation for programs operating under an authorization that has already expired or will expire within the next 30 days.

These restrictions can be waived by a two-thirds vote in either chamber but not for longer than seven days.  Additionally, the bill provides for expedited consideration of bipartisan funding bills if appropriations have not been enacted after 30 days after the start of the fiscal year.  This further incentivizes Congress to process bipartisan spending bills and fund the government on time.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

San Jose, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta led his colleagues in a letter to the President, urging him to reconsider his September 19th proclamation on H-1B visas in light of the decision’s potentially negative impacts on the U.S.-India relationship.

“The H-1B visa program is an important part of why the United States continues to lead in technological innovation, and is needed now more than ever with the recent sharp rise of artificial intelligence,” said Representative Panetta. “Although 75% of current H-1B visa recipients come from India, the program still needs to be enhanced and increased rather than limited to a select amount of people or corporations that can pay exorbitant amounts of money to get a visa. My congressional colleagues and I wrote and sent this letter to the Administration so that they not only preserve, but also expand the H-1B visa program as a key factor for the United States to remain competitive in the 21st century.”

The Representatives argued that their constituents on H-1B visas contribute to the local economy and help the United States stay competitive in industries, like tech, on the global stage. They also noted the importance of a robust visa program in shoring up national security and maintaining a strong partnership with India, the country of origin for 71% of all H-1B holders last year.

The full letter to the President can be found here and is copied below:

Dear President Trump:

We write to urge your Administration to maintain and strengthen the H-1B visa program, and to share our concerns regarding the proclamation made on September 19, 2025, impeding the entry of workers under this program. As members of a recent delegation to India, we recognize the importance of the H-1B program not just to the United States economy, national security, and competitive advantage, but also to our relationship with India, and to the Indian-American communities that we represent. We respectfully request that you suspend the September 19 proclamation and reconsider any policy that would decrease appropriate access to the H-1B program. 

The H-1B program is a cornerstone of U.S. competitiveness in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Research consistently shows that H-1B professionals boost U.S. innovation, patent production, and business formation, complementing rather than displacing American workers. Indian nationals, who make up the largest share of H-1B recipients, are central to U.S. leadership in information technology and artificial intelligence. Many of America’s most successful companies were founded or led by former H-1B holders, who drive new businesses, job creation, and keep the United States at the forefront of technological progress. Indian-Americans and other H-1B holders also comprise a thriving constituency in each of our districts, enhancing our local economies, contributing to our academic and civic institutions, and strengthening our communities.

At a time when China is investing aggressively in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, America must continue attracting the world’s best talent to maintain our innovation ecosystem, strengthen the defense industrial base, and preserve our long-term competitive edge. In the case of India, the country of origin for 71 percent of H-1B holders last year, attracting this talent also reinforces our strategic partnership with a key democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific.

The H-1B program is not simply about addressing labor needs; it is about securing U.S.  leadership in the industries that will define global power in the 21st century. For these reasons, we respectfully urge you to preserve and expand the H-1B program to strengthen America’s technological leadership, create jobs for American workers, and safeguard our national security. 

Thank you for your attention to our request; we look forward to working with you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

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