Nevada Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto Vote to End Shutdown
The Senate took a significant step on Sunday toward ending the government shutdown when a coalition of moderate Democrats broke ranks to advance compromise legislation. Among them were Nevada senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, who decided to move the process forward without securing an extension of health care subsidies, a decision that angered many within their party.
In a procedural test vote, the Senate voted 60–40 to proceed with the funding bill. The measure aims to reopen the government and delay the debate on renewing Affordable Care Act tax credits that are set to expire in January. Final approval could take several days if objections arise from Democratic members.
Division Among Democrats
The agreement does not assure renewal of the Affordable Care Act subsidies that Democrats had been advocating for nearly six weeks. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, along with most Democrats, voted against the motion to advance the bill. Only eight Democratic senators supported it.
Nevada Delegation’s Rare Alignment
In previous votes, Senator Cortez Masto had supported Republican proposals to end the shutdown, while Senator Rosen opposed them. Rosen had earlier stated that Nevadans did not send her to Washington to “cave” to Republicans.
“Nevadans did not send me to Washington to cave to Republicans,” said Senator Jacky Rosen.
Despite earlier disagreements, both senators ultimately voted to push the compromise forward as economic and social pressures from the prolonged shutdown intensified.
Summary
The two Nevada senators crossed party lines to support legislation aimed at reopening the government after the longest shutdown in U.S. history, reflecting growing bipartisan fatigue over the standoff.