After 40 Days of Gridlock, Rosen Chooses Party Unity Over Bipartisan Pressure

Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen is facing scrutiny after shifting her stance and siding with fellow Democrats in a vote to reopen the government following a 40-day shutdown. The decision came after Rosen had previously hesitated to support reopening efforts and publicly clashed with Nevada’s Republican Governor Joe Lombardo over funding priorities.

Rosen joined the majority on Sunday, voting “yes” on a continuing resolution negotiated largely by Democrats to resume federal operations. Her office framed the move as a necessary step to protect healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and maintain programs like SNAP, the federal food assistance initiative.

In a statement following the vote, Rosen sharply criticized former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, accusing them of “weaponizing” the shutdown to pressure working families. She claimed her vote was motivated by the need to prevent health insurance costs from rising and ensure federal programs remain funded.

Governor Lombardo had earlier urged Rosen to vote with both parties to end the stalemate, warning that Nevadans were feeling the impact through suspended food aid and halted services. Rosen responded by doubling down on her criticism of the former president, aligning closely with the progressive wing of her party and emphasizing her support for ACA-related provisions.

While her fellow Nevada senator, Catherine Cortez Masto, has consistently voted with Republicans to reopen the government, Rosen’s initial hesitation and subsequent reversal have drawn attention. Many see her move as a political calculation to balance voter expectations in a swing state, where concerns about federal overspending and government gridlock are high.

Republican lawmakers argue the prolonged shutdown was avoidable and point to Democratic infighting over budget priorities as a key factor. They also question whether the added spending tied to the ACA tax credit extensions aligns with long-term fiscal responsibility.

The Senate’s bipartisan vote marked a step toward ending the shutdown, but the measure still needs approval from the House before reaching the president’s desk. For Nevadans, the episode underscores the growing divide between calls for government accountability and demands for expanded federal programs.

Credit: Original reporting by 8 News Now