“We are the land of the free because of the brave,” Emmer said in a statement to Alpha News. “That is why I have devoted so much of my time in Congress to making sure our veterans and their families receive the support they deserve.

“From improving veterans’ access to quality care to expediting the death certification process for grieving veteran families, we will always fight for those who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms.

“On this Veterans Day,” he continued, “we also acknowledge that the best way for Congress to honor our nation’s heroes is by reopening the government so they receive uninterrupted access to the services they’re entitled to.

“I’m grateful the Senate finally acted and hope every Democrat in the House is willing to put politics aside and stand with America’s veterans,” added the Republican lawmaker.

Shutdown enters final stages in Congress

The 42-day shutdown — now the longest in U.S. history — may soon come to an end. The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to return to Washington after weeks away to take up the U.S. Senate’s amended government funding legislation, according to Fox News.

The shutdown has led to thousands of flight cancellations or delays, left federal workers furloughed or working without pay, and impacted government services to veterans.

As Alpha News reported on Monday, Democratic U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith voted against advancing the bipartisan proposal to reopen the government. That measure passed 60-40 after a group of Democrats crossed the aisle to join Republicans.