Twenty-one House Democrats broke with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to support legislation ending the four-day partial government shutdown, helping clear the way for the funding measure to pass. Their votes provided the margin needed to reopen the government after days of stalled negotiations in Congress.
The shutdown began after lawmakers failed to approve a spending package before the funding deadline, leading to disruptions across multiple federal agencies. While most Democrats opposed the bill, citing concerns over the process and policy priorities, the group of 21 argued that reopening the government was necessary to avoid further harm to federal workers and public services.
Minority Leader Jeffries had urged Democrats to withhold support, calling for additional negotiations and changes to the legislation. Despite that position, the lawmakers who voted in favor said the immediate impacts of the shutdown outweighed broader political disagreements.