Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) announced that the new agreement to reopen the federal government includes a provision he authored to protect veterans’ Second Amendment rights. The agreement, which involves three appropriation packages and funds various government agencies through January 30, 2026, was passed by the Senate in a 60-40 vote on Monday, approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon, and signed into law by President Donald Trump later that day.
The legislative process leading up to this deal saw Senate Democrats led by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) block 14 previous attempts to fund the government. The latest measure brings an end to what has been described as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
“I’m thrilled my colleagues finally came to their senses, got on the side of common sense and voted to end the national embarrassment that was the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history. I’m especially proud that our agreement extends my provision to protect veterans from losing their Second Amendment rights just because they need help managing their VA benefits. Still, we must do more to ensure multiple-vehicle pileups like this shutdown never happen again. That includes passing my bills to stop paying lawmakers when they fail to keep the government open and resuming our regular order appropriations process. Congress ought to work for the American people, not use them as ‘leverage,’” said Kennedy.
During a Fox News interview with Will Cain on Monday, Kennedy reiterated his support for two bills: the No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act and Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act. These measures are designed so that during a shutdown federal workers would continue receiving pay while Members of Congress would not be paid; however, both were blocked by Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Senate Democrats.
The Fiscal Year 2026 Veterans and Military Construction Appropriations bill now extends a provision first enacted in 2024 at Kennedy’s initiative. This provision ensures that veterans who require assistance managing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits will not automatically lose their right to own firearms without a court ruling. Previously, if a fiduciary was appointed for a veteran’s VA benefits management, their name would be sent by the VA to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), resulting in an automatic prohibition from purchasing or owning firearms.
Kennedy has previously introduced similar legislation during past Congressional sessions alongside other lawmakers such as Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), with language based on these proposals having been included in earlier appropriations packages.
Full texts of related legislation can be found via links provided:
Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Extensions Act, 2026;
No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act;
Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act.
Additional information about efforts regarding congressional pay during shutdowns is available at Fox News Digital.
Recordings of legislative attempts related to these issues are also accessible online.
