End of federal shutdown moves closer

Days after Delaware began paying for federal food assistance paused under the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Senate voted for a bill to reopen. Delaware Democrat senators, however, continued to vote no on the bill.

Sen. Chris Coons said he voted against the bill to reopen the government because the bill did not address increases to the Affordable Care Act, a concern he has voiced throughout the 41-day shutdown.

“I’m voting against the bill today given it doesn’t extend these valuable tax credits,” Coons said in a statement.

The House had passed a bill in September to keep the government open, including payments for supplemental food assistance, air traffic controllers and other government workers, but the bill failed over a dozen times in the Senate. It finally passed 60-40 Nov. 9, with some amendments to extend funding until Jan. 30, for SNAP benefits, military construction and other funding through Sept. 30, 2026. With these changes, the bill returns to the House for a final vote, which may occur later this week.

“I will continue to fight for an extension of healthcare tax credits before they expire at the end of this year. We will have a vote in December on improving healthcare and extending those credits, and I will intensify my efforts to fight for a winning vote,” Coons said.

Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester also voted no on the past and latest bill to reopen the government over her concerns over extending the Affordable Care Act.

“This deal falls significantly short of that objective, so I will vote no,” she said in a press release. “I’m pleased our military service members, federal workers, air traffic controllers, TSA agents and dedicated civil servants would now be made whole, and those laid off would regain their employment. This bill also includes significant investments to SNAP, which thousands of Delawareans rely on … While I’m ultimately disappointed in this deal, I’m more focused than ever on holding Republicans accountable to their commitment to fix the healthcare crisis they created.”

Delaware Democratic leadership in the House issued a statement Nov. 10 in support of Coons and Blunt Rochester voting no, calling the vote for the bill to reopen the government a “betrayal of the American people.”

“Delaware has a strong and united federal delegation fighting for what is right. Here at home, the Delaware House Democratic Caucus stands shoulder to shoulder with them. We are holding the line for Delawareans, for affordable healthcare and for a government that works you, your family and your community,” wrote House Speaker Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, House Majority Leader Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris and House Majority Whip Rep. Ed Osienski.

Delaware began paying SNAP benefits for about 60,000 households Nov. 7, fulfilling a pledge to do so through November if needed.

A state of emergency was declared Oct. 29 to transfer state money to the Department of Health and Social Services to be disbursed on a week-by-week basis this month.

Officials said Delaware issued about $5.2 million, and additional weekly deposits may be issued, pending disbursement of federal SNAP benefits. Officials said states have not yet received guidance for when to expect federal funds for disbursement of SNAP benefits to eligible individuals.