Virginia leaders vote on bill to “end federal government shutdown”

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The U.S. Senate met today for a special session during the longest federal government shutdown in history. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine and Senator Mark Warner share statements on their stance on the recent bill.

This comes as reports of the Senate reaching a potential shutdown deal surfaced on Sunday, Nov. 9.

As the session continues new reports state that democrats have now voted 14 times not to reopen the government as they demand the extension of tax credits that would "make coverage more affordable for health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act," according to the Associated Press.

"I have long said that to earn my vote, we need to be on a path toward fixing Republicans’ health care mess and to protect the federal workforce," said Kaine. "This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will."

Senator Kaine added that, "this legislation will protect federal workers from baseless firings, reinstate those who have been wrongfully terminated during the shutdown, and ensure federal workers receive back pay, as required by a law I got passed in 2019. That’s a critical step that will help federal employees and all Americans who rely on government services."

Kaine continued by adding that he will keep workig towards a long-term government spending plan that includes, "critical priorities to support Virginians and funding for Virginia community projects."

If the bill to reopen the federal government were to pass it would no immediately reopen the federal government.

The house, which has been out of session since September, would need to also approve the bill, reports state.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner is among those voting on the funding bill to possibly reopen the federal government. In recent statements shared, warner states that he cannot support it.

"Every day this shutdown drags on, Virginians feel it, from federal workers struggling to pay their bills to families unsure how they will put food on the table because this administration is cruelly and deliberately withholding the assistance they need. I want nothing more than to reopen the government, get folks back to work, and end the needless hardship this Republican shutdown is causing," said Warner.

Warner continued by stating that he appreciates that the proposal uses important language preventing further mass layoffs of federal employees. "That’s a critical step in protecting our public servants from this administration’s campaign of retribution, and something I’ve long pushed for," stated Warner.

As the shutdown continues millions across America have been left without federal food assistance from programs such as SNAP. Flight operations have also seen impacts as a result of the shutdown as the FAA has recently decided to reduce flight capacity by 10% across 40 major airports across the U.S.

"But I cannot support a deal that still leaves millions of Americans wondering how they are going to pay for their health care or whether they will be able to afford to get sick. We owe the American people more than a short-term fix that leaves working families staring down a health care crisis, and simply kicking the can down the road is not good enough. Families are already struggling with rising prices on everything from groceries to housing. I will keep working in the Senate to bring costs down and relieve the pressure on working families who are already paying more because of President Trump’s policies that are driving prices up instead of lowering them," Warner said.