by
Sen. Peters and Slotkin
Many Democrats on Capitol Hill were adamantly against voting for a budget that would keep the government operating. They preferred a shutdown to protest the sweeping budget cuts they had no say in.
But in the end, 10 Democrats in the Senate, including Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, voted Friday to help Republicans avoid a shutdown. In a procedural matter, they voted with Republicans to allow the GOP's stopgap budget to go up for a vote. Sen. Elissa Slotkin voted against it. The measure needed 60 votes to defeat a Democratic filibuster. It passed 62-38.
That vote opened the door for the Senate to approve the temporary budget, effective through Sept. 30. That vote, which only required a majority, was 54-46. Both Peters and Slotkin voted against it, but by then, Peters’ opposition meant very little.
On X, Peters, who is not running for re-election next year, explained:
"Under a normal administration, a government shutdown would be devastating to families in Michigan and across the country who count on federal programs for health care, veterans' benefits, and small business loans. Shutdowns are also incredibly damaging—the last shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion. Make no mistake, a shutdown under President Trump right now would be a disaster.
"A government shutdown would give President Trump, Elon Musk, and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought unchecked power to continue their illegal campaign of dismantling agencies that provide services Americans need."
Slotkin, the freshman senator, also posted a statement on X explaining why she voted against the bill:
"I will be voting no on the Continuing Resolution tomorrow. First, because this bill is bad for Michigan. It makes significant cuts to Michigan's key infrastructure projects, cuts the VA, and harms our Great Lakes.
"But on top of that, my Republican colleagues offered no assurances that the money wouldn't be redirected at the whim of Elon Musk. They offered no assurances that the Trump administration would follow the law."
In the final vote, only Democratic New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, along with independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, voted for the budget bill.
