Virginia’s congressional delegation divided over Senate measure to reopen government

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Could the longest government shutdown in American history be nearing an end? 

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on a Senate-passed measure that could reopen the government, and as expected, members of Virginia’s congressional delegation are divided. 

Republicans like Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) support the measure.

In a statement, Kiggans said, “No partisan political priorities are more important than paying our troops and federal workers, keeping our skies safe, and providing SNAP benefits to those in need.” 

Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) says that while she understands the pain many Americans have felt, she’ll vote against the measure. 

“This funding bill does not meet the needs of the American people, does not lower costs, and does not address the healthcare crisis of Republicans making,” McClellan told 8News. 

McClellan said that’s because the measure fails to permanently extend tax credits that make health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) more affordable. 

“Hundreds of thousands of Virginians, when they began open enrollment on November 1st, saw that their health insurance premiums were, in some cases, doubling or tripling, and millions of Americans as a result may not be able to afford health insurance.  This is an issue we have got to address, that the American people want us to address,” McClellan said.

On McClellan’s concerns, Kiggans said, “Once the government opens, I am willing to negotiate with both sides of the aisle to come up with a commonsense plan, with appropriate reforms, to help those who rely on the ACA as their form of healthcare.”

Virginia’s Senate delegation was also divided on the measure. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine was one of the few Democrats who voted for the proposal in the Senate. Democratic Senator Mark Warner voted against it.