Kean votes for bill to reopen government as shutdown ends; parties split over health care, spending
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey’s 7th District on Wednesday voted for legislation to end the federal government shutdown, criticizing Democrats for triggering what he called an avoidable crisis.
“DC Democrats made a foolish decision to shut down our government and inflict tremendous harm on our country,” Kean said in a statement after the House vote. He said he has “never supported a government shutdown in any form” and argued that the standoff produced “no leverage to gain” and “no policy battle to win.”
The measure includes a continuing resolution to reopen the federal government through Jan. 30, 2026, and full-year funding for the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch appropriations bills. It now heads to President Joe Biden for his signature.
Kean said Republicans “stood on the principles of good government, fiscal discipline, and common-sense” throughout the shutdown, working to protect services such as air traffic control and SNAP benefits. He called the closure a “reckless political ploy” that created “unnecessary hardship for American families.”
“Now, it’s time to move forward and focus on what matters: lowering costs, strengthening our economy, and securing America’s future,” Kean said.
New Jersey Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer of the 5th District opposed the bill, saying House Republicans refused to include an extension of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. He warned that families already burdened by high prices would face steep increases in health care premiums next year without action.
“We had one request from Speaker Johnson: Let us vote to extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and save families thousands,” Gottheimer said in a statement. “They refused.”
Gottheimer also criticized what he described as a “backdoor deal” in the bill to send at least $500,000 in taxpayer funds to senators under investigation related to the Jan. 6 attack.
He said the expiration of ACA subsidies could raise premiums an average of 26% for 24 million families and leave millions unable to afford coverage. He urged lawmakers from both chambers to return to the negotiating table and craft a bipartisan plan to lower health care costs.
“Both sides must get to the table, find common ground, and deliver a bipartisan plan,” Gottheimer said.
The shutdown had disrupted federal services nationwide, affecting agencies and programs across the government. The stopgap bill gives Congress additional time to finish work on the remaining full-year appropriations for fiscal 2026.
