January 1, Six House Dems Break Ranks Back GOP Shutdown Deal

Wyatt’s Take

• Six House Democrats sided with Republicans to reopen the government.
• They put local needs ahead of party lines, calling out D.C. games.
• Most of these Democrats hold seats in districts won by Trump in 2024.

Six Democrat lawmakers joined with Republicans to end a 43-day government shutdown. They voted for a Senate package, going against Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and their party’s leadership.

These breakaway Democrats said the shutdown was hurting families in their districts. They argued that doing what’s best for their folks back home should matter more than following party orders.

Jeffries had wanted all Democrats to oppose the GOP-backed funding plan, upset that it didn’t continue expanded Obamacare tax credits. He called the GOP approach “reckless” and said it raised the cost of living for working Americans.

Republican Reps. Thomas Massie and Greg Steube were the only GOP members to vote against funding.

Maine’s Jared Golden was the first Democrat to support the bill, saying in a statement:

“I just voted to reopen the government, pay federal workers and get food assistance and other critical programs up and running again.”

Golden, who often votes with Republicans, is stepping down at the end of this term, making his Trump-won seat a top GOP target.

Washington’s Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, representing another Trump district, blasted the shutdown tactics, saying:

“None of my friends who rely on SNAP would want to trade their dinner for an ambiguous D.C. beltway ‘messaging victory’.”

New York’s Tom Suozzi voted yes hoping to reach a real deal on health insurance credits, writing:

“If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are willing to work together to address this health insurance affordability crisis by extending the premium tax credits, then we will have accomplished something meaningful.”

Texas’ Henry Cuellar praised the bipartisan deal for bringing relief to furloughed workers and helping South Texas families. He’s running in a district Trump won by ten points after redistricting.

North Carolina’s Don Davis switched his vote to help struggling families in his now strongly Republican district. California’s Adam Gray supported the deal for keeping food help going, saying:

“Shutting down the government does not make anyone more free, prosperous, or secure. It just makes life harder for people already carrying too much.”

As D.C. leaders play political games, these representatives put kitchen-table concerns first, answering to folks most hurt by government gridlock.

Wyatt Matters

When Congress loses sight of ordinary people, it’s up to accountable leaders to break ranks. No matter what party you belong to, putting families’ paychecks, food, and stability first is what matters in Middle America.

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