Listen to the article
Lawmakers Go to Extraordinary Lengths to End Historic Government Shutdown
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history came to an end Wednesday night after House members raced back to Washington using unconventional transportation methods to ensure their votes were counted.
With air travel delays mounting and inclement weather affecting parts of the country, several representatives took drastic measures to fulfill their duties, highlighting the high stakes of the fiscal standoff that had paralyzed federal operations.
First-term Rep. Addison McDowell, R-N.C., found himself in an unexpected five-hour road trip alongside House Rules Committee chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., a powerful Republican lawmaker more than five decades his senior.
“It dawned on me that, for a while there, I was one of the most powerful people in America, because I had the Rules chair, who — we couldn’t start the process of passing this bill until she got here,” McDowell told Fox News Digital. “We had a one-seat majority, and there was two of us. So there was a lot of pressure to make sure she got here on time.”
The unlikely travel companions shared a Chick-fil-A lunch and meaningful conversation during their journey. Both lawmakers sacrificed attending Veterans Day events in their districts to ensure the government could reopen and military personnel would receive their paychecks.
Foxx’s committee had worked through the night from Tuesday evening until around 2 a.m. Wednesday preparing federal funding legislation for the House-wide vote. The veteran lawmaker cited concerns about mountain weather in North Carolina and potential flight delays as reasons for choosing the road trip.
“I have never had a chance to really sit down with him for a long period of time, so I really welcome the opportunity to get to know him better,” Foxx said of her younger colleague. When asked if she would make the journey again, she responded, “In a heartbeat.”
The situation was even more extreme for Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, who embarked on a grueling 1,000-mile, 15-hour overnight drive with two staffers. The team took turns behind the wheel, stopping only for fuel.
“I had a lot of Veterans Day events. I wanted to make sure that I was in my district for that. And then, once that was completed at 5 last night, we headed this way,” Feenstra explained. “When that’s your only option, you do it. This job — you’ve got to do whatever you have to.”
Perhaps the most dramatic journey belonged to Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., who rode his motorcycle hundreds of miles through hazardous conditions to reach the Capitol in time for the vote.
“Democrats shut the government down over 40 days ago now. And I could not count on air travel,” Van Orden told Fox News Digital. “So I talked to my wife for about five seconds and said, ‘I’m getting on the motorcycle and leaving.'”
The Wisconsin lawmaker endured sub-zero temperatures and black ice, stopping briefly at a hotel when conditions became too dangerous. He explained his transportation choice was partly practical – his family has only one car, which he didn’t want to take from his wife.
“People around here don’t seem to understand that the mission is more important than their personal security or comfort,” Van Orden said. “If more people in this building took their job more seriously and realized it’s about the American people than not, then we will be a better country.”
The shutdown’s conclusion came amid mounting concerns about its impact on critical services, particularly air travel. The standoff had created growing financial uncertainty for federal workers and threatened to disrupt essential government functions even further if not resolved.
The extraordinary measures taken by these lawmakers underscore both the razor-thin margins in the current Congress and the high-pressure environment surrounding government funding battles. With Republicans holding just a single-seat majority in the House, every vote was critical to ending the impasse.
Former President Trump signed the legislation shortly after its passage, officially ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and restoring normal operations to federal agencies that had been operating with reduced staff or completely shuttered for over a month.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
12 Comments
Interesting to see lawmakers go to such lengths to resolve the shutdown. The high stakes and pressure they faced must have been intense. I’m curious to hear more about the discussions and dynamics between the unlikely travel companions during that lengthy road trip.
The resourcefulness and determination displayed by these representatives to fulfill their duties is admirable, even in the face of logistical challenges.
This story highlights the dedication and commitment of our elected representatives, who were willing to go to great lengths to fulfill their duties and end the government shutdown. It’s a testament to the importance of their work and the sacrifices they’re sometimes called upon to make.
I’m curious to hear more details about the conversations and interactions between the lawmakers during their extended road trip. It must have been a unique bonding experience amidst the high-stakes situation.
The creative solutions employed by these lawmakers to overcome the travel obstacles and ensure their votes were counted are quite impressive. It’s a reminder of the resilience and problem-solving abilities of our elected officials, even in the face of a challenging political landscape.
I wonder if this experience will lead to any policy changes or discussions around improving the logistics and contingency planning for future government shutdowns, to ensure the continuity of essential government functions.
The lengths these lawmakers went to in order to get back to Washington and vote are quite remarkable. It speaks to the seriousness with which they view their responsibilities, even when faced with significant logistical challenges. I hope this experience can serve as a lesson for future policymakers.
The bipartisan nature of the travel companions is also noteworthy and suggests a degree of cooperation in the face of a shared challenge, which is encouraging to see.
This story highlights the dedication and commitment of our elected representatives, who were willing to go to great lengths to fulfill their duties and end the government shutdown. It’s a testament to the importance of their work and the sacrifices they’re sometimes called upon to make.
The bipartisan nature of the travel companions is also noteworthy and suggests a degree of cooperation in the face of a shared challenge, which is encouraging to see.
This situation highlights the critical nature of Congress’ role and the importance of members being present to vote, even in the midst of a government shutdown. It’s good to see that they were able to overcome the travel obstacles and come together to end the impasse.
I wonder if this experience will lead to any reflections or changes in how Congress approaches future shutdowns and ensures essential voting can be carried out even in adverse conditions.