Rep. Victoria Spartz Supports Ending Government Shutdown

Rep. Victoria Spartz from Indiana expressed her backing for bringing an end to the 43-day government shutdown. This announcement comes just before the House is set to vote on a continuing resolution (CR) aimed at reopening the government.

Spartz, who was one of only two Republicans against a seven-week CR in September, emphasized the need for lawmakers to “open up the government.” She highlighted that this is crucial for ensuring U.S. military personnel receive their pay and that essential services can resume.

In her statement, Spartz mentioned, “We need to open our government, pay our military, and provide essential services.” She pointed out her support for this CR, noting that it doesn’t increase spending or lead to a major spending bill during the holiday season.

In a post, she referenced an interview she had with radio host Tony Katz, during which she expressed satisfaction that Senate Republicans stood firm against Democratic pressure regarding the shutdown. “I’m really happy to see that the Republican Party didn’t disband,” she said, also mentioning that health care reforms are important to her, albeit cautioning against excessive funding directed to insurance companies and hospitals.

Spartz’s remarks followed the Senate’s approval of the CR measure with a 60-40 vote on Monday.

As reported, the CR will fund the government until January 30, 2026, and includes three relatively non-controversial spending bills for the fiscal year.

The Senate’s procedural vote on the CR was completed with ease, clearing the way for a future vote on this straightforward resolution. It ensures back pay for federal employees, rehiring guarantees for over 4,000 federal workers laid off during the shutdown, and prohibits future layoffs until the end of January. Though significant, these job protections contrast sharply with the approximately 250,000 jobs cut during the Trump administration.

Reports indicate that House Democratic leadership has been trying to rally opposition among House Democrats against the CR. Critics have pointed out that the CR and associated packages do not sufficiently tackle the health care crisis affecting millions of Americans, nor do they address the rising costs of insurance premiums and deductibles.