The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to end the longest government shutdown in history, which has lasted over 42 days. The legislation, which will be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature, was approved with a vote of 222 to 209, concluding the extended fiscal deadlock that has disrupted government operations since October 1.
The bill’s passage followed significant political maneuvering, including bipartisan negotiations to address key issues like federal funding and healthcare policies. While most House Democrats initially opposed the bill, six Democrats ultimately voted to endorse the legislation, though they expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of provisions for extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.
The shutdown has had severe impacts across the nation, affecting thousands of government workers and critical federal services. Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents have faced unpaid leave, forcing many to take second jobs and contributing to widespread flight delays and cancellations. Millions of Americans who depend on federal benefits have also been left in uncertainty as funding for vital programs has remained uncertain.
Key figures on both sides of the aisle have voiced their perspectives on the bill’s outcome. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the legislation for failing to address healthcare reforms, while House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism about moving past the shutdown, calling it a ‘long national nightmare.’ Republicans also faced internal conflict over a last-minute provision allowing senators to sue for damages related to a federal probe, which temporarily threatened unity but was eventually managed through future legislative plans.
Although the immediate crisis appears to be averted, the unresolved issues around healthcare subsidies and long-term spending continue to fuel political tension. With the bill’s passage, Congress now faces the challenge of addressing the remaining appropriations bills before the fiscal year ends in January and preparing for future legislative priorities.