By Charles Young, WV News
WASHINGTON — West Virginia Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, both Republicans, celebrated the Senate’s passage of a funding package late on Monday that will reopen the federal government and end the 41-day shutdown, though both lamented the political gridlock that caused the delay.
The Senate approved a final measure that includes a clean continuing resolution to fund the government through Jan. 30, 2026, and three full-year appropriations bills: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch.
Capito, a member of the Senate Republican Leadership and a leader on the Appropriations Committee, emphasized the need to adhere to proper legislative procedure.
“After 41 days of delay, I’m glad we were able to reach a solution to reopen the government,” Capito said in a statement. “It shouldn’t have taken this long to do the right thing for the American people. Our goal has always been simple: keep the government open and complete our appropriations process through regular order— the way the Senate is supposed to function.”
Sen. Justice called the lengthy closure a “total wreck” for West Virginians and Americans.
Photo courtesy of WV News
