The House is poised to vote on a bipartisan bill aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, following its successful passage through a key committee.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on Wednesday on a measure to end the ongoing government shutdown, which has now lasted for 42 days. This follows the bill’s successful advancement through the House Rules Committee earlier in the morning.
The bipartisan agreement to reopen the federal government received unanimous support from Republicans in the committee, while all Democrats opposed it. The bill is now set to move to the full House, where sources familiar with discussions among GOP leaders indicate that it is expected to pass with strong Republican backing.
Clearing the House Rules Committee is a significant milestone in the effort to end the shutdown, which has become the longest in U.S. history, surpassing previous records by about a week. The committee’s hearing, which began on Tuesday evening, lasted more than six hours, concluding shortly after 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
During the hearing, Democrats attempted to introduce amendments related to COVID-19-era enhanced subsidies for Obamacare, which are set to expire at the end of the year. However, these attempts were unsuccessful. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., made a notable appearance, advocating for his amendment to extend those subsidies for an additional three years.
The lengthy debate saw heated exchanges between members of both parties. Democrats accused Republicans of neglecting Americans’ healthcare needs and taking an extended “vacation” while their constituents suffered during the shutdown. In response, House Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., expressed her frustration, stating, “I am sick and tired of hearing you all say we had an eight-week vacation. I worked every day. I don’t know about you. I don’t want to hear another soul say that.”
Additionally, both Democrats and some Republicans criticized a provision in the funding bill that would allow GOP senators to sue the federal government for $500,000 over the alleged secret acquisition of their phone records during the investigation led by ex-Special Counsel Jack Smith. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, voiced concerns about the perception of this provision, suggesting it could be seen as self-serving.
Following the committee’s approval, the bill will undergo a “rule vote” in the House, a procedural step that, if successful, will allow for further debate on the legislation. A final vote is anticipated later on Wednesday, potentially sending the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature.
President Trump has indicated his support for the legislation, stating in comments to reporters on Monday, “We’ll be opening up our country very quickly,” when asked about the deal.
The Senate had previously broken a weeks-long deadlock on Monday night, passing the legislation with a 60-40 vote. This included support from eight Democrats who joined Republicans in the effort to reopen the government.
As the shutdown continues, travel disruptions have been reported at U.S. airports, with air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay since last month. Many of these employees have taken on second jobs to make ends meet, leading to staffing shortages and flight delays that threaten to impact the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Millions of Americans who depend on federal food assistance programs are also facing uncertainty amid the ongoing partisan disputes over funding. The proposed bill aims to extend federal funding levels for fiscal year 2025 through January 30, allowing negotiators additional time to reach a longer-term agreement for fiscal year 2026.
Furthermore, the legislation would advance funding for several key departments, including the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and military construction. These departments are part of a larger package of 12 individual bills that constitute Congress’ annual appropriations, collectively referred to as a “minibus.”
In a notable concession to Democrats, the deal would reverse federal layoffs that occurred during the Trump administration in October, ensuring that affected workers receive back pay for their time off. Additionally, a side deal reached in the Senate guarantees Senate Democrats a vote on legislation to extend the enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. However, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has not made a similar commitment for a vote in the House.
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