Missouri’s U.S. senators back funding bill to end shutdown
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt voted Sunday evening to advance the federal funding bill. The Senate is expected to hold a final vote Monday night, moving one step closer to ending what’s become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
The vote Sunday marked a major breakthrough for the GOP, with eight Senate Democratic centrists voting with Republican lawmakers to advance the bill, 60-40. According to ABC, the current funding bill does not have any Democratic demands on expiring health care tax credits.
However, Republican leaders say they will allow a vote in December on a bill to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, a program that is generally opposed by GOP lawmakers. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer previously proposed a one-year extension of the credits to reopen the government, which Republicans rejected.
If left to expire, millions of Americans on Affordable Care Act health insurance plans will lose government funding, with middle- to lower-income consumers expected to be hit the hardest.
If approved in a final vote by the Senate, the House is set to review and vote on the bill. House members have been given a 36-hour notice to return to D.C.
“I’m glad that a handful of Democrats have finally decided to join me and my Republican colleagues in voting to reopen the government to pay our federal workers and restore benefits for hardworking Missouri families,” Schmitt said in a statement. “Democrats held the American people hostage for 40 days just to prove they are the ‘resistance,’ and they can ‘fight’ Trump, and now it’s time we get back to work.”
Republican U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (Tarkio) expects the House Republicans to lead the vote.
“I think the House, we have the votes, we’re not going to depend on any Democrats to support it, but I think there will be many that support it,” Graves said. “The biggest thing is, is we need to get the government open again, so that we can get the committees back functioning again, we can get back to regular floor activity, and that is something that is vitally important.”
In a statement Monday, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) criticized the Senate’s deal, adding he will not support the legislation when it gets to the House.
“The legislation proposed in the Senate will ensure that tens of thousands of my constituents see their health care premiums skyrocket, some by more than double what they are today,” Cleaver said. “That is a heartless way to govern.”
Sunday evening, Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Onder (Lake St. Louis) replied to an X post from political commentator Lisa Boothe that criticized the Affordable Care Act.
“Obamacare is a miserable failure, and unaffordable, even with the COVID subsidies,” the post said.
Obamacare is a miserable failure, and unaffordable, even with the COVID subsidies. https://t.co/uNJJBHFYfb
— Dr. Bob Onder (@BobOnderMO) November 10, 2025
Also on Sunday evening, U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-St. Louis) replied to an X post from journalist Jake Sherman criticizing the Senate Democrats’ decision.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if it doesn’t help working families in St. Louis, count me out,” Bell’s account posted.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if it doesn’t help working families in St. Louis, count me out. https://t.co/UFOlIbMHus
— Congressman Wesley Bell (@RepWesleyBellMO) November 9, 2025
U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Ozark) also criticized the Affordable Care Act in an X post Saturday.
“While Democrats double down on Obamacare, we’re crafting a real solution one built on competition, choice, and transparency. A free market healthcare reform that lowers costs and restores patient freedom,” the post states.
While Democrats double down on Obamacare, we’re crafting a real solution one built on competition, choice, and transparency.
A free market healthcare reform that lowers costs and restores patient freedom.
That’s how we win the future.
— Eric Burlison (@EricBurlison) November 9, 2025
On Friday, Cleaver also voiced concern about the bill on X.
“Americans are seeing their premiums skyrocket because Republicans would rather shut the government down than extend tax credits that help working-class families afford their health care,” the post states.
Americans are seeing their premiums skyrocket because Republicans would rather shut the government down than extend tax credits that help working-class families afford their health care.
The people deserve better.https://t.co/vkLASOGG1t
— Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (@repcleaver) November 7, 2025
The next step for the Senate is voting on how long to debate before voting on the final bill. Meanwhile, SNAP benefits remain in legal limbo, with airports seeing staffing issues as the shutdown continues.
Those issues have caused some flight delays at Columbia Regional Airport. One flight that was scheduled to depart in the afternoon on Monday had been pushed back until nearly midnight.
State Representative David Tyson Smith (D – Columbia) shares the sentiment of other democrats criticizing the senators who jumped party lines, adding that now is the time for the party to stand strong.
“When you see people in solidarity, then all of a sudden people just break rank with no explanation, it’s usually because they’re being offered something behind the curtain,” Smith said. “They [Senate Democrats] sold America out, it was the wrong thing to do, this is a time for courage and a time to have backbone and I’m embarrassed for our country that they would do that, we’ve suffered for so long, almost 40 days, and so hopefully the house holds and it’s not over yet.”