Shutdown deal could let Congress refocus on local projects, Womack says

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After 41 days, Congress appears to be nearing the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The Senate passed a funding package Monday night that could reopen key parts of the federal government and allow lawmakers to refocus on long-term priorities.

Representative Steve Womack says once the bill reaches the president’s desk, it will bring long-awaited relief for federal workers and communities across the country.

“Once it gets to the President and gets signed, that will effectively end the shutdown, and then there will be money to pay everybody and to make good on the commitments that we have promised,” Womack said.

The federal package — known as a “minibus” — includes three bills that would fund military construction and the Department of Veterans A