WLOX-TV Biloxi
Mississippi Senators vote to end government shutdown as deadlock continues
By WLOX Staff
BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - Mississippi’s two U.S. Senators, Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, voted in favor of a bill to end the government shutdown.
The vote first took place on Tuesday, and then again on Wednesday afternoon, failing both times.
“Senate Democrats have twice now rejected a clean, bipartisan bill to keep the government open, just to push a radical partisan agenda,” said Republican Senator Hyde-Smith. “Most Americans don’t want this. It’s time to put country over party and fund the government.”
Republicans and Democrats are blaming each other for the impasse.
“The government shutdown has occurred because Senator Chuck Schumer is holding the funding process hostage,” said Republican Senator Wicker.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Donald Trump and Republicans have barreled us into a shutdown because they refuse to protect America’s health care.”
Most Democrats have said they will only back the bill if Republicans agree to extend expiring health insurance tax credits.
Roughly 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed, and many offices shut down, including places in South Mississippi.
The gates were closed at the Davis Bayou Campground in Ocean Springs on Wednesday morning, and WLOX crews spotted an RV driving out.
A prolonged government shutdown could also impact the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air show in Biloxi set for November 1 and 2. Keesler Air Force Base officials confirm that during a shutdown, the Thunderbirds and other military demonstration teams do not perform.