Alabama House Republicans vote to end government shutdown: ‘Put this nightmare behind us’
Republicans in Alabama's congressional delegation voted in favor of the passage of a continuing resolution to end a lengthy government shutdown on Wednesday.
The House passed a clean government funding extension on September 19. However, Senate Democrats voted against it 14 times, leading to a 40-day government shutdown.
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said after final passage of the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 on Wednesday, "I was proud to vote in favor of finally ending Schumer's shutdown. For 43 days, Senate Democrats have held our country hostage in the name of partisan demands."
"Today, Republicans, along with a few sensible Democrats, voted to reopen the government with a clean continuing resolution along with full-year appropriations for Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs," Rogers said. "This measure restores stability to our country, reestablishes certainty for military families, and funds key national security work, but work does not stop there. I look forward to passing full-year appropriations as well as the FY2026 NDAA and SPEED Act. With the government reopened, House Republicans stand ready to advance President Trump's Peace Through Strength Agenda."
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said, "For over 40 days, the Democrats have held the government hostage in exchange for a radical wish list and campaign support from Marxist billionaires."
"Finally, we have ended the #SchumerShutdown and can put this nightmare behind us," Palmer said.
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) said, "The Schumer Shutdown is finally over."
"We're excited the government is back up and going. Our soldiers are going to get paid. SNAP and WIC will be funded. Air traffic control, federal employees, Capitol Police are all going to be paid," Moore said.
In addition to extending government funding at current levels through Jan. 30, 2026, H.R. 5371 sends three of 12 full-year Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills to the President's desk: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Legislative Branch, and Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.
President Donald Trump signed the legislation shortly after it passed the House on Wednesday.
"After inflicting over 40 days of needless hardship on our military, families, workers, and communities, eight Senate Democrats finally did what Republicans, President Trump, and Americans have been asking from day one: pass a measure to reopen the government," U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) said. "It's about time. Now that we are finally out of this unnecessary shutdown, we can return to our work on Fiscal Year 2026 bills that eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, and put the American taxpayer first."
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said, "It's time to get the government back up and running. This legislation not only funds critical federal operations but also supports several health and workforce development projects across Alabama's Fourth District."
"Despite what the national media may say, Democrats were entirely responsible for this shutdown and the hardships it caused for so many Americans," Aderholt said. "You can't claim to be protecting healthcare while at the same time forcing people to go without pay and struggle to put food on the table. That just doesn't add up."
U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) and Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) voted against the legislation reopening the government.
Figures said, "So healthcare for us is not a talking point. Protecting healthcare for us is a requisite. It's a requirement. It's something we have to do. And if you ask us if the shutdown was worth it, I say hell yes it was worth it. Because fighting to maintain healthcare for [the] American people – there's nothing more pure than that. There's no more important role that we have here as Members of Congress than to ensure the healthcare of the American people."
"So, while the failure of Republicans to do anything to protect healthcare is truly disappointing, I want the world to know that my Democratic colleagues here in the House – they can ride with me in any battle I face in my life," Figures said. "They stood with us under the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries to make sure that we kept this front and center. And I look forward to remaining committed to this fight for all of Alabama and for all of America."