Senator Schmitt Issues Statement on Senate Deal to End the Schumer Shutdown

Bill Now Heads to the House of Representatives

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) released the following statement after the Senate voted to reopen the federal government after 41 days, the longest shutdown in American history. The Senate also passed three separate appropriations bills for the remainder of FY 26: Agriculture, Mil-Con/VA, and Leg Branch. The House of Representatives will now take up the package before it heads to the President's desk.

"Today, after nearly six weeks of paralysis, a handful of Senate Democrats finally ended their 'resistance' and voted to reopen the federal government. From day one, Republicans clearly stated we would not allow the government to be held hostage to advance partisan policy goals. As the longest shutdown on record ends, one thing is clear - Senate Democrats shut down the government for nothing. They inflicted weeks of pain on the American people only to accept the same deal we offered from the start. I urge my House colleagues to consider this legislation as soon as possible. It's time to get back to work," said Senator Schmitt.

Missouri Wins in Senate Passed FY 2026 Appropriations Bills:

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs:

• $127.6 million for future basing of B-21 Raiders at Whiteman Air Force Base.
• Provides transparency for the future of General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital and military housing conditions at Fort Leonard Wood.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration:

• $50 million to support local water management projects, ensuring safe and reliable water access for rural communities.
• $982,000 for the expansion of the University of Missouri's Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.
• $2,425,000 to support Agricultural Policy Research Centers, such as the University of Missouri's Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute.
• Provides resources to combat emerging threats, such as new world screwworm, chronic wasting disease, and avian influenza.
• Maintains funding for land-grant universities and competitive grant programs to advance innovative agricultural research.
• Delivers resources for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. to protect our farmland from foreign adversaries.
• Provides resources to the Federal Drug Administration to combat the illegal importation, distribution, and sale of Chinese e-cigarettes.

Legislative Branch:

• Continues provision to freeze pay of Members of Congress, preventing any increases in FY 2026.
• Strengthens existing provisions to prohibit the sale of communications equipment from Huawei or ZTE Corporations.
• Retains the requirement that unspent amounts from Members of Congress' personal office budgets be used for debt and deficit reduction.

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