WASHINGTON, D.C. — Idaho’s U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch released statements Monday following the Senate’s passage of a measure to reopen the federal government and advance a three-bill appropriations package.

The measure provides full-year funding for Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs programs for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026, while a Continuing Resolution funds the rest of the federal government through January 2026.

Senator Crapo, R-Idaho, emphasized the need to address rising health care costs. “Insurance premiums are skyrocketing because our health care system is broken. Simply extending the temporary Biden COVID bonuses, which account for only four percentage points of the coming premium increases, is not a solution,” Crapo said. He added that the appropriations bills support veterans, invest in rural communities, protect national security, and contain cost-savings measures.

Senator Risch, R-Idaho, called the shutdown a “terrible waste of time and resources” and expressed relief that eight Democrats joined Republicans to advance the measure. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that SNAP recipients, veterans, and federal employees, including the military and air traffic controllers, receive needed assistance and pay. Risch also reiterated his support for legislation, including the Eliminate Shutdowns Act and the Shutdown Fairness Act, aimed at preventing future government shutdowns.

Both senators emphasized continuing bipartisan work on remaining appropriations bills before the January 2026 deadline.