McClellan Joins House Democrats in Voting to Fund the Government, Avoid Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after she voted in support of H.R. 10545: 

“The 118th Congress began with gridlock and chaos as House Republicans took a week to elect Speaker Kevin McCarthy. It nearly ended the same way when, for the fifth time, House Republicans took us to the brink of a government shutdown under Speaker Mike Johnson. The entire time, House Democrats have stood ready to put the American people over politics.

“After Elon Musk’s X temper tantrum calling for a government shutdown and Donald Trump’s eleventh-hour demand to extend the debt ceiling derailed a bipartisan funding bill, Speaker Johnson reneged on that deal. He then tried to ram a bill through that would pave the way for the incoming Administration to enact huge tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations at the expense of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. House Democrats firmly opposed this unilateral bill and defeated their efforts. 

“House Democrats stood united in our commitment to fulfill our most basic duty to fund the government, keeping it open and functioning for the American people. We beat back Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s last minute demands and forced House Republicans to strip out their blank check for the incoming Administration. We stood united to pass a funding bill that includes disaster relief funding for America’s farmers, Department of Defense facilities, and survivors of natural disasters; support for public health programs and Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals that serve vulnerable communities; billions in federal funding to support the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds; robust investments to modernize child care facilities and increase access to child care for working families; a one-year extension of the Farm Bill, including crucial housing investments, community development, and economic assistance for America’s farmers; and more.

“Despite Republicans’ inaction and clear inability to govern, House Democrats upheld our commitment to our constituents and forced Republicans to advance a bipartisan Continuing Resolution that meets the needs of the American people. I voted yes to protect Virginia families, nearly 140,000 active-duty service members, and the 170,000 federal employees who call our Commonwealth home.”

H.R. 10545 passed on a vote of 366 Yays to 34 Nays to 1 Present. Funding levels are now extended through March 14, 2025.