Dear friends and neighbors,

After 43 days, Senate Democrats joined Republicans to pass a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the government through January 30, 2026. The president signed this deal into law, and the government is now OPEN.
 
With this deal, we also kick-started full-year appropriations by passing 3 appropriations bills focused on investments in military construction, veterans’ services, and agriculture.
 
On September 19, 2025, the House passed a clean, non-partisan CR. When the bill arrived at the Senate, I voted 15 times to reopen the government. Sadly, many of my Senate Democrat colleagues chose politics over people, holding the nation hostage for unrealistic demands. This led to the longest shutdown in American history.
 
Ohioans deserve better than this dysfunction, and my heart goes out to everyone who felt the pain of the shutdown. I want you to know that I will always be part of the solution, not the problem. I’m grateful common sense and teamwork prevailed.

What this means for you and your family

Now that the government has reopened, all federal services will resume. That includes: 

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• National parks 
• Small business loans
• All federal agencies

What I did to support Ohioans

Thousands of air traffic controllers were unpaid, and thousands more domestic flights were delayed or canceled. Across the country, Americans worried about receiving SNAP or WIC benefits and feeding their families. Thousands of federal employees missed paychecks, stood in food lines, and were forced to take out loans just to pay their bills on time.
 
While Senate Democrats voted to keep the government closed, I stood my ground and continued to work for Ohioans. The shutdown fell squarely on the shoulders of Congress, which is why I could not in good conscience accept a paycheck while millions of Americans missed payments. I don’t think any member of Congress should get paid while we fail to do our jobs, which is why I also supported the No Budget, No Pay Act. We need accountability, and this bill would stop lawmakers from receiving their salaries until both the House and the Senate fund the government.
 
I held telephone town halls to hear directly from Ohioans about how they were affected by the shutdown and to answer their questions. Throughout the entire shutdown, I remained committed to customer service by holding face-to-face meetings with Ohioans. 
 
I also backed the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 to provide full funding for SNAP during the shutdown. I was one of the first senators to join the Pay Our Military Act to appropriate funds to pay U.S. military personnel throughout the shutdown. I also voted for the Shutdown Fairness Act, which would have paid the federal employees required to report to work during the shutdown.

What exactly did Congress pass?

In addition to the continuing resolution, Congress passed appropriations bills that:

• Fund the Department of Veterans Affairs, including medical care and veterans benefits programs, including disability compensation programs, education benefits, and vocational rehabilitation and employment training.
• Invest $30 million to begin construction of the Human Performance Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
• Provide for rural infrastructure, housing, and business development:
• This includes $1.7 billion for affordable housing rental assistance for low-income families and seniors in rural communities.
• I secured $1 million for a rural facility in Coshocton to promote outdoor recreation and improve the community’s and visitors’ health.
• I also secured $999,000 for a lab modernization for Holzer Health System in Gallipolis.                
• Fully funds WIC and SNAP.
• Ensures that the Secretary of Agriculture is included in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to protect American farmland from foreign adversaries.

I’m also encouraged that my Streamlined Market Access and Reform for Therapeutics Over-the-Counter (SMART OTC) Act became law as part of the appropriations package. Ohioans deserve access to affordable, high-quality health care. That’s why I wrote this bill to cut unnecessary FDA barriers and make proven, over-the-counter medicines more accessible—helping lower costs and improve health for families across our state. 
 
I’m grateful Congress was able to find bipartisan ground and do what’s best for the American people.

We’re here to help 

Customer service is my top priority. My team and I have established offices across Ohio to better help our nearly 11.9 million neighbors. 
 
You can find the office locations at www.husted.senate.gov and fill out a form here for casework assistance. You can also call our Columbus office at (614) 369-4925.

Stay in touch 

In addition to signing up for my newsletter, you can keep up with the work I’m doing on behalf of Ohioans by following me on X at @SenJonHusted, Facebook at www.facebook.com/SenJonHusted, YouTube at @SenJonHusted, and Instagram at @SenJonHusted.
 
Please know that hearing from Ohioans helps me better serve you. I hope you’ll keep sharing your thoughts with me here.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. As always, feel free to be in touch with any questions or comments you may have.  
 
Your U.S. Senator,
 
Jon Husted