WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement today after Senate Democrats relented and allowed the Senate to pass a continuing resolution to reopen the government and extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years:

“Today, Senate Democrats relented and voted to reopen our government, but what they gained from this shutdown is unclear. While I am pleased with the outcome of this vote, the reality is that this was a needless exercise driven by the Democrats, who put partisan politics before the needs of the American people. Instead of providing funding for our troops and extending the bipartisan CHIP, Democrats chose to engage in political grandstanding over illegal immigration — an issue that has nothing to do with funding our government. Their decision put into jeopardy the future of essential resources including funding for our national defense and health insurance for low-income children. This is completely unacceptable. We must move forward with governing on behalf of the American people in a manner that does no more harm.”