Michigan’s Democratic senators voted against a motion that would have moved a “clean” continuing funding resolution forward, and parts of the federal government have effectively stopped operating after the Oct. 1 shutdown deadline passed without a deal.
Despite negotiation efforts, lawmakers could not come to an agreement on funding legislation before midnight on Oct. 1. Votes to move ahead with funding on an interim basis failed in the Senate where Republicans needed 60 votes to advance their version of the measure. The bill, which would have provided funding through Nov. 21, failed 55-45.
A different Senate bill also failed, 53-47, with most Democrats in favor and most Republicans against.
In the hours leading up to the shutdown, the two sides traded barbs over who is to blame. Democrats have demanded the reversal of Medicaid cuts that Republicans passed this year and the extension of health care subsidies be included in a funding measure.
As a result, a partial government shutdown began, as of midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the first day of the U.S. government’s 2026 fiscal year. The shutdown will continue until appropriations are passed in Congress.
A wide range of federal services will be impacted and thousands of government workers are set to be furloughed. Certain agencies, like the U.S. Postal Service, air traffic control and Social Security, are considered essential and will run as usual.
Here’s what to know about the votes
How did Michigan’s senators vote on the continuing resolution?
House Resolution 5371 received 55 yes votes and 45 no votes in a 6:41 p.m. count. The measure needed to pass with three-fifths majority or 60 votes.
Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, voted against the measure.
“Today, I am voting against the Republican Continuing Resolution,” Slotkin said in a statement. “This temporary funding bill had no input from Democrats, and I’ve said repeatedly, if you want my vote, you have to come talk to me.”
Slotkin added that President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” will raise health care costs for millions and others will lose coverage.
Gary Peters, also a Democrat, voted against the measure.
“In my first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, I fought tough-and-nail to pass the Affordable Care Act to ensure that families across Michigan could get access to quality, affordable health care coverage.”
Peters said the law has saved lived, but that Trump’s new law will “rip” health care coverage from hundreds of thousands in Michigan.
Both senators voted in favor of a Democratic Senate bill on Sept. 30 that would have restored the funding.
How did the funding bill fare in the House?
On Sept. 16, Rep. Tom Cole, of Oklahoma’s 4th District, introduced the bill.
A motion to recommit, or amend the bill, failed in the House on Sept. 19 218-210, then the Republican-backed bill passed 217-212.
Yes votes from Michigan representatives in the House included:
No votes from Michigan representatives in the House included:
USA TODAY contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: The federal government is shut down. How Michigan representatives, senators voted
Reporting by Dan Basso, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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