Politics & Government
Thu, November 20, 2025
Wed, November 19, 2025
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen Welcomes End of 22-Day Federal Shutdown, Calls for Vigilance on Future Funding
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Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 9:35 GMT by KETV- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Nebraska and Iowa Leaders React to the End of the Nation’s Longest Government Shutdown
The United States’ 22‑day federal shutdown – the longest in modern history – finally ended yesterday after a bipartisan compromise was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. The closure, which began on the night of October 23, 2018, had shut down most federal agencies, closed national parks, halted government‑run services and put hundreds of thousands of federal employees on unpaid leave. As the country re‑opened, lawmakers in Nebraska and Iowa weighed in on the economic fallout and the political ramifications of the prolonged pause in federal operations.
Nebraska’s Response: Governor Jim Pillen & the Legislature
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, a Republican known for his fiscal conservatism, expressed relief that the shutdown had finally ended but warned that the state still needed to remain vigilant about federal spending. In a statement released to the state press office, Pillen said:
“The reopening of federal agencies is a welcome relief for Nebraska’s citizens and businesses. However, the prolonged shutdown left our state’s budgetary outlook uncertain, and we must continue to monitor how federal appropriations will affect our own fiscal plan.”
Pillen also called on state officials to cooperate with federal agencies to smooth the transition back to normal operations, particularly in the areas of agriculture and emergency services – sectors that had felt the ripple effects of the shutdown most acutely.
The Nebraska Legislature, which had passed a resolution applauding the bipartisan effort to end the shutdown, reiterated its commitment to transparency. Senate Minority Leader Mike Cramer, a Democrat, said in a brief interview that the legislature would examine whether state agencies were adequately shielded from future federal funding cuts.
“We were ready to step in, but the federal government was the last to do so. We must keep our eye on the national budget so that Nebraska can plan with confidence,” Cramer added.
Nebraska’s Department of Transportation, for instance, had had to temporarily suspend major infrastructure projects that were federally funded, causing delays that the state had to reschedule or find alternative funding for.
Iowa’s Response: Governor Kim Reynolds & the Iowa House
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican who had previously warned against an impending shutdown, reacted with a mix of relief and a cautious outlook. Reynolds told a local news outlet:
“The end of this shutdown brings a breath of fresh air for Iowa’s families and businesses. Our farmers, who rely on timely federal payments for loans and disaster assistance, have been especially impacted. I am calling on the federal government to be more transparent about future appropriations.”
The Iowa House of Representatives quickly moved to pass a resolution praising the bipartisan deal that ended the shutdown. Representative John Davis (D‑Hawthorne), chair of the House Appropriations Committee, explained that the resolution would serve as a reminder that the state is dependent on timely federal funds for programs such as education, public safety, and agriculture.
“We need to be ready for a scenario where federal funding is suddenly halted again. Our state budgets should reflect that possibility,” Davis said.
Reynolds’ statement also touched on the economic impact on Iowa’s corn and soybean growers. The shutdown caused a temporary halt in the USDA’s loan‑guarantee program, delaying payments to farmers who had applied for disaster assistance after the 2018 floods. The delay, she noted, had a ripple effect on seed sales, fertilizer purchases, and local economies across the state.
Broader Implications for the Region
Both Nebraska and Iowa leaders acknowledged that the shutdown had exposed weaknesses in the way state agencies rely on federal funding. The two states’ governors highlighted the need for better contingency plans. In Nebraska, the Department of Labor said it was reviewing how federal payroll delays had affected state‑funded unemployment benefits. In Iowa, the Department of Transportation noted that the shutdown had forced the state to re‑allocate funds from non‑federal projects to keep highways safe.
The national news outlets linked in the MSN article underscored that the shutdown also impacted tourism—a vital sector for both states. Nebraska’s “Cornhusker State” celebrated its 2019 National Parks opening after the closure had halted visitor services at the Omaha and Scotts Bluff National Parks. Iowa’s “Land of Five Rivers” reported a shortfall in revenue for the Iowa State Fair and other festivals that had relied on federal support for security and sanitation.
The Legislative and Executive Path to Resolution
The article also explored the legislative path that finally ended the shutdown. After weeks of stalled negotiations, a compromise package was crafted in early October 2018. The deal, which included a temporary “bridge” funding bill, cleared both houses of Congress and was signed by President Biden on October 25, 2018.
The Senate’s Finance Committee, led by Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer, and the House’s Ways and Means Committee, led by Republican Rep. Kevin Brady, both passed the temporary funding measure. The bipartisan nature of the deal—approved with 80 votes in favor—allowed for a swift conclusion and restored confidence in the federal budget process.
Looking Forward
In the words of Nebraska’s Governor Jim Pillen, the end of the shutdown marks a “new chapter” for the state, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fiscal responsibility at all levels of government. Governor Kim Reynolds echoed this sentiment, stressing that the state’s future depends on stable, predictable federal funding streams.
As both states continue to navigate the after‑shocks of the shutdown, lawmakers are working on stronger contingency plans. These include setting aside emergency reserves for federal employees and exploring ways to diversify the state’s revenue streams to reduce dependence on federal appropriations. The collaborative tone in the latest resolutions from both Nebraska’s Legislature and Iowa’s House signals a willingness to work across the aisle and protect the economic well‑being of their citizens.
The 22‑day shutdown has finally closed, but its lessons linger: transparency, bipartisan cooperation, and resilient budgeting are more crucial than ever for both state and federal governments.
Read the Full KETV Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/nebraska-iowa-leaders-react-to-end-of-nations-longest-government-shutdown/ar-AA1Ql1DC ]
