U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is defending his decision to vote with Republicans to reopen the federal government after a record seven-week shutdown.
Durbin says he “could not justify playing with people’s lives” as millions of Americans went without paychecks and benefits.

Durbin was one of eight Senate Democrats who broke with the party to advance the funding deal, which includes a full year of SNAP benefits and reverses shutdown-related layoffs.

The vote has drawn criticism from Governor JB Pritzker and other Illinois Democrats, who argue the promised vote on healthcare tax credits may not materialize. Durbin says he understands their frustration, but insists he did what he believed was right.

The bill was signed by President Trump and the government is now fully reopened.