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The record-breaking 43-day federal government shutdown officially concluded Wednesday night after President Donald Trump signed a long-awaited government funding bill.
The signing took place only hours after the House of Representatives approved the measure, following days of tension and partisan debate.
The Senate had already cleared the bill earlier in the week, making its final passage a significant step toward restoring normal government operations.
How Missouri and Kansas Lawmakers Voted
The House vote divided sharply along party lines, ending with a 222–209 tally. Below is a breakdown of how representatives from Missouri and Kansas voted on the continuing resolution:
| Representative | Party | State | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Alford | Republican | MO | Yea |
| Wesley Bell | Democratic | MO | Nay |
| Eric Burlison | Republican | MO | Yea |
| Emanuel Cleaver | Democratic | MO | Nay |
| Sam Graves | Republican | MO | Yea |
| Bob Onder | Republican | MO | Yea |
| Jason Smith | Republican | MO | Yea |
| Ann Wagner | Republican | MO | Yea |
| Sharice Davids | Democratic | KS | Nay |
| Ron Estes | Republican | KS | Yea |
| Tracey Mann | Republican | KS | Yea |
| Jason Schmidt | Republican | KS | Yea |
Several lawmakers released statements after the vote, offering sharply contrasting perspectives on the shutdown and its resolution.
Reactions From Missouri and Kansas Representatives
Mark Alford (R–MO)
Alford celebrated the bill’s passage, framing it as an “America First” victory and criticizing Democrats for allowing the shutdown to drag on.
He emphasized that Republicans were “putting America, families, and the nation’s future first,” expressing optimism for the country’s direction.
Emanuel Cleaver (D–MO)
Cleaver called the shutdown “completely avoidable,” stating that the American people were the real losers as partisan conflict dominated much of the year.
He urged Republicans to collaborate on extending ACA tax credits and reducing health care costs for struggling families.
Sam Graves (R–MO)
Graves condemned what he described as Sen. Chuck Schumer’s unnecessary shutdown, noting that thousands of air traffic controllers, military members, and federal workers endured nearly seven weeks without pay.
He highlighted the shutdown’s effect on national aviation, including widespread flight delays and cancellations, and pledged to work with the Trump administration to mitigate lingering impacts.
Sharice Davids (D–KS)
Davids opposed the bill due to the absence of assurances regarding ACA health care credits that support more than 160,000 Kansans.
While relieved that federal workers would return to work, she stressed that she could not back a bill that risked higher health care premiums without commitments from House leadership.
Derek Schmidt (R–KS)
Schmidt expressed relief that the prolonged shutdown was ending. He noted that he previously voted to keep the government open and again voted to reopen it so essential services could resume for military personnel, federal workers, contractors, and Kansans relying on nutrition programs. He thanked Senate Democrats who crossed party lines to help restore government operations.
The end of the 43-day government shutdown marks a critical moment for federal employees, military personnel, and millions of Americans whose daily lives were disrupted.
Although the funding bill passed, the sharply divided reactions from Missouri and Kansas lawmakers reveal the deep partisan tensions that shaped the standoff.
As government functions resume, the debate over health care affordability, federal priorities, and future funding negotiations is far from over.