WASHINGTON — Southern Minnesota’s representative in Congress, Brad Finstad, said he was serving the American people in voting to end the 42-day federal government shutdown. The shutdown ended in effect with a 222-209 House vote for Trump policies. Finstad, a Republican and consistent Trump loyalist, sidestepped acknowledging any legitimacy to Democratic resistance to the Trump budget as skewed against ordinary people to enrich the already-wealthy. Finstad critics were incredulous at his claim to be in touch with voters. Finstad hasn’t held a single town hall meeting in his M-1 District since November to test the public pulse — not even during the 42-day House recess during the shutdown, when he was home back at his New Ulm farm.

Earlier:  How they voted: On federal shutdown /3

Earlier:  Protesters at secret Finstad constituent meeting

Verbatim

Finstad: “I voted to put an end to the partisan games, return to common sense legislating, and get back to work serving the American people.”