Legislative update: Sykes and Joyce cast opposing votes on government shutdown

U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, who represent Portage County residents, voted against each other on H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, on Sept. 19. The bill was created to fund the government short-term to prevent a government shutdown.

The bill passed in the House of Representatives, with Joyce supporting it and Sykes voting against it, but it did not receive the 60 affirmative votes it needed in the Senate, leading to the ongoing shutdown, which began Oct. 1.

Joyce said in a press release that he could “not in good conscience allow a costly government shutdown that would leave our service members without pay, delay benefits for veterans and seniors and disrupt critical federal services that millions of Americans rely on every day.”

Sykes did not release a statement on why she voted against the bill, but she did call attention to two previous bills she sponsored that she said would provide stability during the shutdown: the Pay Our Military Act and the Feed Our Families Act.

“No American should ever go hungry because of Congress’ failure to fund SNAP,” Sykes said in a press release. “The Feed Our Families Act will ensure millions of Americans, including thousands of constituents in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District who rely on SNAP, will still be able to put food on their tables in the event of a government shutdown.”

Bills brought forth (from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30)

State Rep. Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) introduced House Bill 450 on Sept. 15 alongside state Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon), which would grant accessible parking privileges to pregnant women through the creation of a removable windshield placard. It was referred to the House Children and Human Services Committee on Oct. 1.

Ohio State Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) introduced two bills in September, including Senate Bill 263 on Sept. 16 and Senate Bill 276 on Sept. 30.

SB 263 would make changes regarding the treatment of professional employer organizations and alternate employer organizations under the Unemployment Compensation Law. It was referred to the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance and Technology Committee on Oct. 1. SB 276 would ratify the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists and was referred to the Senate Education Committee on Oct. 1.

Joyce was the primary sponsor of H.R. 5166, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2026, and a co-sponsor of H.R. 5469, the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act of 2025.

H.R. 5166 would provide appropriations for several federal departments and agencies for the 2026 fiscal year and lay out requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by it and other appropriations acts. Currently, it’s sitting on the Union Calendar.

H.R. 5469 would improve research and data collection on stillbirths. Joyce introduced it alongside U.S. Reps Young Kim (R-California), Kathy Castor (D-Florida) and Robin Kelly (D-Illinois). Senators Steve Daines (R-Montona) and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) are leading companion legislation in the Senate.

“Despite spending the most money on healthcare per capita in the world, the United States has failed to make significant improvements when it comes to understanding and preventing stillbirths,” Joyce said in a press release. “This legislation marks a long-overdue step forward in addressing stillbirths, advancing maternal and infant health and ensuring the United States catches up to where it should be in prioritizing this critical issue.”

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the day it was introduced.

Sykes sponsored four bills in September.

H.R. 5122, the NASA Talent Exchange Program Act, was introduced on Sept. 3 and was co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio). The bill would form a partnership between the aerospace industry and NASA by assigning NASA employees to temporary industry posts and bringing industry professionals to NASA for short-term positions.

“This bill will allow NASA to better fulfill its missions by authorizing the Public-Private Talent Exchange Program, through which NASA and private industry professionals will have the chance to exchange technical expertise and operational best practices, ensuring that America’s space and aerospace industry remains the best and most innovative in the world,” Sykes said.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology the day it was introduced.

She introduced H.R. 5412, the Food Farmacy Act of 2025, on Sept. 16 alongside U.S. Reps Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) and Janelle Bynum (D-Oregon). This bill would expand access to nutritious foods and provide nutritional guidance.

“I know food farmacies work because, as a state legislator, I created a program to fund the establishment of food farmacies in Ohio and have seen the positive impact they can have on patients battling chronic illness,” Sykes said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure every American can access healthy food.”

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce the day it was introduced.

Sykes introduced H.R. 5660 on Sept. 30 alongside numerous other representatives, which would ensure continuity of pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces in the event of a lapse in appropriations. It was referred to the House Committee on Appropriations the day it was introduced.

She also introduced H.R. 5661 on Sept. 30 alongside U.S. Rep. Robert Bresnahan (R-Pennsylvania) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to consider the use of resource preservation techniques in certain programs. It was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on the day it was introduced.

Ohio State Rep. Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) was not the primary sponsor of any bills in September.

How they’ve voted on bills

Sykes and Joyce voted on multiple acts throughout September.

Both representatives supported H.R. 747, the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025, which passed in the House almost unanimously on Sept. 2. It would impose sanctions on Chinese producers of synthetic opioids and opioid precursors and hold Chinese officials accountable for the spread of fentanyl.

“The opioid epidemic has devastated individuals, families and communities across Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, and the rise of fentanyl has only made this crisis worse,” Sykes said in a press release. “By holding Chinese individuals and organizations accountable for selling, financing and transporting fentanyl to the United States, this legislation will improve law enforcement’s ability to pursue fentanyl-related offenses and help keep our community safe.”

Sykes voted against H.R. 4553, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, while Joyce voted in support. The bill would provide fiscal year 2026 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy and several independent agencies. The bill passed in the House on Sept. 4 with 214-213 votes.

Sykes said in a press release that the bill would raise energy prices and jeopardize energy independence while neglecting other investments in clean water and sewer infrastructure. Joyce did not release a statement regarding this bill.

Both representatives voted for H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which passed in the House 231-196 on Sept. 10. It would authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction and for defense activities of the Department of Energy.

Joyce said in a press release that it would raise pay and benefits for troops and their families and provide soldiers with cutting-edge technology.

“Taking care of our troops and their families, cutting red tape for weapons procurement, and cutting out unnecessary spending in the Pentagon are all commonsense reforms that will refocus our military to its core mission,” he said.

Sykes said in a press release that the legislation would also include expanded access to dental care, gynecological care and nutritious foods.

Sharing stances on social media and community work

Demetriou posted in favor of H.B. 413 on Facebook, which would create an Ohio Local Government Expenditure Database and political subdivision participation.

“It’s essential that every tax dollar is accounted for — where it comes from and how it’s spent,” Demetriou wrote. “H.B. 413 would require full public transparency: a database showing the details of public revenue and expenditures. Transparency isn’t optional — it’s the foundation of trust.”

He, Workman, Roegner and Joyce each wrote posts also honoring the life of Charlie Kirk, a political activist who was fatally shot at a Utah campus event on Sept. 10.

Workman shared that she has been appointed to serve on the National Conference of State Legislatures Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy.

“As we face rapidly evolving technologies, it’s critical we balance innovation with protecting privacy, personal data and what keeps Ohioans safe,” she wrote. “I look forward to working with state leaders from across the country to develop policies that encourage growth and safeguard our citizens.”

Joyce met with leaders from Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing to discuss issues facing the nursing workforce. He is the co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus and wrote on social media that his top priority is to ensure nurses receive the right resources to give “high-quality care to patients.”
Sykes attended the Barberton Labor Day Parade, did an interview on Sirius XM’s “Mornings with Zerlina” show and held a Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference panel.