Several Minnesota lawmakers oppose shutdown agreement

Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday that House lawmakers should start returning to Washington “right now” after a small group of Senate Democrats broke a 40-day stalemate late Sunday evening and voted with Republicans to move forward with legislation that would end the government shutdown.

The agreement would fund the government through Jan. 30. It includes full-year funding for a group of appropriations bills, including funding in full for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, through Sept. 30, 2026, or the end of the fiscal year.

Minnesota’s two U.S. senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, both Democrats, opposed the tentative agreement.

The Senate could wrap up passage as soon as Monday. The bill cleared a procedural hurdle, voting 60-40 late Sunday, with seven Democrats and one independent joining most Republicans. In a rare dissent, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted “no,” saying it failed to fully address the issue of expiring health insurance tax credits

It would next go to the House, where lawmakers have been away since September but were being told to prepare to return to Washington this week. Then, it would go to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.

“Lowering costs is the top priority for Minnesotans. I voted against this budget bill because it does not prevent health insurance premiums from doubling for so many in our state,” Klobuchar said in a written statement.

Smith issued her own statement, which also points to a lack of a guarantee on health care premium relief and reads in part: “Allowing this to pass is a mistake.”

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum released a statement saying she also opposes the Senate’s bill.

“Their bill cuts $18 billion more from SNAP, and fails to include any guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from continuing their illegal and unconstitutional misuse of congressionally appropriated funds,” she said in the statement. “There is no reason to believe that House Republicans will take action to reduce health care costs for the American people.“

U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach praised the Senate Democrats who voted with Republicans.

“I applaud the eight Senate Democrats that joined Senate Republicans to move the funding bill forward,” Fischbach said in a press release Monday evening.

Other Minnesota representatives have weighed in to voice their opposition including U.S. Rep. Angie Craig who posted that “if people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you.”

NPR contributed to this report.