Valley representative Adam Gray breaks from Democrats on government shutdown vote

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Valley Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13) was one of six Democrats to vote in favor of the funding bill that will end the nation's longest government shutdown.

The bill passed by a vote of 222-209, sending the measure to President Donald Trump's desk for final signature to reopen the government.

RELATED: House passes funding bill to reopen the government, sending it to President Trump to sign

In a statement, Gray said "we shouldn't run a government by holding hungry families hostage."

"The recent government shutdown made one thing very clear: President Trump and his allies are far too comfortable using vulnerable Americans as political leverage. One of the first things they did during the shutdown was refuse to authorize emergency funds to cover food stamps, delaying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits nationwide. In my district alone, more than 47,000 households - 21.1% of all families - rely on SNAP to put food on the table..." Gray said in part of his statement.

"No parent should have to choose between feeding their children and keeping the lights on because someone in Washington thinks chaos is a negotiating tactic.

That's why I voted for a bipartisan agreement that takes food assistance off the table for an entire year. So, when the next shutdown happens (and in this divided Washington, there is always a "next" shutdown) the president cannot use hungry kids as bargaining chips again. This agreement also protects veterans, small-business owners, and federal workers from being turned into political weapons."

To read his full statement, click here.

Gray joined Democrat Reps. Thomas Suozzi, Jared Golden, Henry Cuellar, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Don Davis. Republican Reps. Thomas Massie and Greg Steube voted against the bill along with most Democrats.

The legislation would fund the government through Jan. 30 and provide funding for some government agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Gray represents all of Merced County and parts of Madera, Fresno, and Stanislaus counties.