U.S. House lawmakers returned to Washington on Wednesday to vote on ending the 43-day government shutdown, which has disrupted air travel, delayed food assistance for millions of Americans, and forced federal employees to work without pay. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that the compromise bill—painstakingly negotiated in the Senate and backed by former President Donald Trump—would pass swiftly. However, he faces strong resistance from House Democrats and must ensure party unity. Democratic leaders are urging members to oppose the bill.
The prolonged shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, has worsened public disruptions, adding urgency to finding a political resolution. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Tuesday, "If the government doesn’t reopen, chaos will escalate significantly this weekend." Speaking at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, he stressed, "(The aviation system) will slow dramatically, so the House must act."
Air travel may take days to normalize, while most of the 42 million low-income Americans relying on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could face further delays. Federal agencies are expected to grapple with backlogs once operations resume.
On Monday, eight moderate Senate Democrats joined Republicans in voting for a compromise to reopen the government until January 30, with funding for some agencies extended through September 2024. Trump, who stayed largely detached from negotiations and refused meetings with Democrats during the shutdown, must sign the bill after House passage. Despite reservations about parts of the deal, his support bolsters Johnson’s bid for Republican approval.
Rep. Andy Harris, leader of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, has endorsed the bill, signaling potential backing from other right-wing members. The legislation reinstates furloughed federal workers, guarantees back pay, and prevents further layoffs until late January—effectively blunting Trump’s leverage during the shutdown.
Notably, the bill excludes Democrats’ key demand: an extension of Obamacare’s premium tax credits. Though Senate Majority Leader John Thune pledged a future vote on the popular subsidy, its post-December 31 survival remains uncertain.
Democrats, emboldened by recent election wins in New Jersey and Virginia, insist on extending the subsidies. But Senate moderates argue that Thune’s pledge, combined with workforce protections and full-year SNAP funding, justifies reopening the government.
As the shutdown nears its end, Congress must now address legislative backlogs, including full-year funding for most agencies and must-pass bills like defense policy. Before debating the Senate-passed bill, Johnson is expected to swear in Adelyta Grisham, elected in September to succeed her late father. His refusal to administer her oath during the shutdown angered Democrats. Once seated, Grisham may provide the 218th signature to force a House vote on releasing records tied to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
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