Utah politicians react to Senate vote to end the government shutdown

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — In a vote Monday night, the United States Senate voted to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, and Utah politicians are reacting to the prospect of the federal government reopening.

Senators John Curtis and Mike Lee (R-UT) voted along party lines to end the shutdown, and the bill will provide funds for agriculture, rural development, the Food and Drug Administration, military construction, and Veteran’s Affairs for the fiscal year. However, it also needs to pass in the House and be signed by President Trump before the government can reopen.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only republican senator not to vote for the bill, and members of the democratic caucus crossed party lines to advance the funding bill.

In a statement, Curtis said that he is committed to reaching across the aisle to create a long-term solution that prevents “either party from holding the government–and the American people–hostage again.”

He also said, “I commend the Senate’s action to end the shutdown that has cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and negatively impacted the lives of millions of Americans. Utahns deserve far better from Washington. Over the past 51 years, Congress has managed to pass a proper budget only four times. That is completely unacceptable. It is time to reform the process and restore fiscal responsibility.”

Lee posted a statement to X.com, writing, “Tonight, after 41 days resisting an extortion attempt against the American people, the Senate finally reached the 60 votes needed to end the Schumer Shutdown. Now, back to the House for final passage. The end is in sight.”

According to Curtis’ office, the military construction portion of the bill includes $162.6 million for military infrastructure projects in Utah, including several projects at Hill Air Force Base, designing an F-35 canopy repair facility, and constructing a fuel cell hangar at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base.

The House of Representatives is set to convene later this week.