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End of the Longest U.S. Government Shutdown
The U.S. House passed a short-term funding bill to end the nation’s longest-ever government shutdown after 42 days, sending it to President Trump for approval.
President Trump Signs Funding Bill To Reopen The Federal Government by Getty Images
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night passed a short-term funding bill to end the longest government shutdown in American history. The measure, approved by a 222-209 vote, now heads to President Donald Trump, who is set to sign it into law during a ceremony at the White House scheduled for 9:45 p.m. ET, just hours before the shutdown was set to enter its 43rd day.
“My friends, let’s get this done,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., shortly before the vote began.
Two Republicans, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Greg Steube of Florida, voted against the measure. Six Democrats also opposed it, while the remaining members voted along party lines.
The shutdown, which began on October 1, had paralyzed government operations for more than six weeks. The impasse stemmed largely from Senate Democrats’ refusal to support any funding bill that did not include an extension of enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which help 20 million Americans pay for health insurance.
Earlier Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it would freeze flight cuts linked to the ongoing shutdown, which had forced cancellations of up to 6% of scheduled U.S. flights, with that number expected to rise to 10% by Friday.
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The House vote followed the Senate’s passage of a similar bill two days earlier. That measure resulted from a compromise between the Republican majority and eight Democratic senators after 14 failed attempts to pass a previous version. Under the deal, Republicans agreed to allow Democrats a December vote on extending the ACA subsidies, which are set to expire at year’s end. Without them, millions could see steep premium hikes.
The agreement also reverses all shutdown-related layoffs and guarantees back pay for federal employees. It funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports 42 million Americans through food stamps, and includes provisions to strengthen the bipartisan budget process while limiting the White House’s reliance on continuing resolutions to keep the government funded.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., criticized the bill for failing to protect ACA tax credits, warning that “more than 2 million Americans are expected to lose their health plans next year because it is just too expensive.” She said some families could see their monthly insurance premiums “double or even triple.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., placed blame on Democrats, saying they “voted to keep that government shut down” to appease “their most radical base.” He accused Democrats of pushing for $200 billion in health spending that would benefit “illegals,” while seeking cuts to the $50 billion Rural Health Care Fund.
“We never should have been here,” Scalise said. “Millions of Americans have endured pain and suffering because Democrats refused to vote for a funding bill.”
After weeks of budget battles, lawmakers on both sides expressed relief at the end of the shutdown. Some joked about finally getting back to their normal routines though for those looking to gear up for long Capitol nights ahead, a Tactical-Style Assault Pack - Built for Everyday Ops, Ready for Anything might come in handy, especially for staffers hauling binders, laptops, and caffeine supplies through the halls of Congress.
The passage of the bill ends a 42-day shutdown that disrupted government services, strained millions of households, and sparked bipartisan criticism of Washington’s political gridlock.
Editor’s Note:
After more than six weeks of political gridlock and mounting national frustration, Congress has finally approved a measure to reopen the government. While the bill brings relief to federal workers and restores essential programs, it leaves lingering questions about long-term budget stability and the future of key healthcare subsidies that continue to divide lawmakers.
