Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader in the chamber, said the package “fails to do anything of substance to fix America’s healthcare crisis”.
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine was among the group of Democrats who voted in favour of the compromise. He pushed back on that criticism, and said the federal workers he represents were “saying thank you” for agreeing the deal.
Hours before the House voted to reopen the government, Democrats in Congress watched as their newest lawmaker was sworn into office.
The addition did not provide enough leverage to impact whether healthcare subsidies were included in the government funding bill, but Democrats welcomed Adelita Grijalva into their ranks with applause on the floor of the chamber.
The Democratic representative for Arizona was elected on 23 September, but the House has not been in session since 19 September, delaying her swearing in. She is stepping into the seat once held by her father, Raul Grijalva, who died earlier this year.
Democrats immediately tapped their newest member to back a petition to force a vote on legislation requiring the release of files related to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The petition will need to sit for seven legislative days before it can be called up for floor consideration – and then House leadership will be required to schedule a vote within two legislative days.
House Speaker Mike Johnson surprised many on Wednesday and said he would schedule a vote for next week.
