The federal government shutdown ended after 43 days of uncertainty for those employed by the government or dependent on federally funded social programs, the longest in U.S. history.
The cause of the shutdown was a disagreement in congress over the funding of government services, leading to a stalemate that broke on Nov. 12. One of the votes against the bill was U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, who represents New York’s 4th Congressional District.
“I believe that we can fund the government and we can also make sure that people don't lose their health insurance, and we're doing everything we can to help the American people face the cost of living crisis that we are dealing with across this country,” she said.
The bill passed 222 to 209, and was quickly signed into law by President Donald Trump. After the vote, Gillen released a statement: “The spending bill passed today does nothing to prevent hardworking Long Islanders from being priced out of their health care. I voted no.”
During the shutdown, non-essential departments were halted while vital institutions must continue working without pay. Now, about 800,000 federal employees who had been furloughed or working without pay will start receiving a paycheck again, with backpay.
While the government restores itself to full functionality, the effects of the shutdown can still be felt.
The spending package restores full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s benefits through next September. Some of the nearly 42 million Americans who rely on the program should receive funds within 24 hours, with exact timing varying by state. Furthermore, the Federal Aviation Administration recently stated that flight cuts would remain at 6 percent this week, rather than rising to 10 percent as planned, and will be lifted once it is safe to do so.
Throughout the 43 days, Gillen visited various community groups to see how the shutdown affected them, such as Long Island Cares, Innovative Daycare and a variety of black and brown owned businesses throughout the district.
“The hunger of our seniors and veterans should not be a political tool,” she said.
Gillen will be up for reelection next year. Following the election of New York City’s new mayor Zohran Mamdani, Gillen has a message to her constituents: “I am extraordinarily different.”
“My district knows me,” she said. “I was the first Democrat in 112 years to get elected in the town of Hempstead as a supervisor, and I'm going to run the same way I ran before, and that is as a centrist, moderate, fiscally prudent and responsible leader who actually wants to work in a bipartisan fashion to get things done.”
Federally and locally, Gillen expressed her intent to stay on the issues.
“The most important thing is we need to be working in a bipartisan fashion to start fixing these problems: addressing the cost of health care, addressing the cost of groceries, addressing the cost of utilities, and finding concrete, fiscally responsible ways to solve these problems,” she said.
For community members that are struggling, Gillen’s office can put them in touch with local support groups.
“Our district staff office is extremely attentive to the calls that come in,” Gillen said. “If they need help with information about how to contact the exchange or how to access certain benefits, we provide that information to them.”
To contact Gillen’s office for resources, contact 516-739-3008.
