Staff Reports
Americans just witnessed a rare moment of sanity in Washington when the Senate moved to advance a continuing resolution to reopen the government, a 60–40 procedural win that could finally end the shutdown that has hurt federal workers and ordinary citizens. Conservatives should celebrate leaders who put the country ahead of partisan theatrics and refused to let the showmanship of the left tank essential services.
A handful of Democrats broke with the radical wing of their party and joined Republicans — names like Tim Kaine, Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Jacky Rosen, Catherine Cortez Masto, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, and independent Angus King sided with reopening the government. Those senators chose responsibility over rage, and for that they deserve credit even from those of us who’ve spent years fighting their policy agenda.
The deal on the table funds the government through January 30 and includes protections for federal employees, reversals of wrongful firings that happened during the shutdown, and targeted appropriations for key areas like veterans’ construction. This is a practical, temporary fix that keeps the lights on while lawmakers go back to doing their jobs — exactly the limited, commonsense approach conservatives have pushed for.
Predictably, the left erupted in fury, with voices like Bernie Sanders calling it “a horrific mistake” and warning of political consequences for any Democrat who “caves.” But the tantrum of the activist class doesn’t change the reality that leaving the government shuttered would have caused real harm to Americans; responsible governance beats principled stubbornness when livelihoods are at stake.
President Trump and his allies deserve some credit here too — he pushed for negotiating leverage and even floated the idea of ending the filibuster to break the impasse, forcing the debate into the open and making politicians choose between governing and grandstanding. Whether you like his style or not, Trump’s pressure moved the needle and exposed which Democrats are willing to pick country over caucus politics.
Make no mistake: this was also a blow to the DNC’s hard-left apparatus, which prefers shutdowns and street theatrics over compromise. The revolt within Democratic ranks is a reminder that mainstream voters — the very people building this country — are fed up with performative opposition that punishes everyday Americans.
There’s still work to do: the package must clear the House and be signed by the president before this crisis is truly over, so conservatives should stay engaged to make sure any deal doesn’t come with long-term giveaways to big government. But for now, give credit where it’s due — lawmakers on both sides who chose to reopen the government put service to the nation ahead of partisan score-settling, and hardworking Americans can breathe easier tonight.
