UPDATE: The House of Representatives has just voted to end the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown, a crisis that has left millions of Americans impacted, from unpaid federal workers to families relying on food banks. The decisive vote, which passed 222-209, took place on Wednesday, bringing an end to the longest funding lapse in U.S. history.
The Senate approved the funding package earlier this week, sending it to President Donald Trump for his signature. This compromise follows weeks of intense negotiations centered around enhanced health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. While Democrats fought to maintain these crucial subsidies, Republicans insisted on discussing them separately.
“We told you 43 days ago that government shutdowns don’t work,” stated Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “They never achieve the objective that you announce.” House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats for leveraging the pain caused by the shutdown for political gain, saying, “They knew it would cause pain and they did it anyway.”
Democratic leaders expressed disappointment, with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) arguing that the spending deal “leaves families twisting in the wind,” accusing Republicans of prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy over affordable health coverage.
The approved package funds three annual spending bills and extends the majority of the government’s operations through January 30, 2024. Furthermore, Republicans have pledged to hold a vote by mid-December regarding the expiring health care subsidies, though uncertainty remains about its success.
“We will continue to address this going forward,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), while House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries asserted, “This fight is not over. We’re just getting started.”
The bill also reinstates federal workers who were dismissed during the shutdown and guarantees them back pay, shielding them from further layoffs through January. It allocates $203.5 million to enhance security for lawmakers and $28 million to protect Supreme Court justices. However, a controversial provision allowing senators to sue for up to $500,000 if a federal agency searches their electronic records without notice has sparked bipartisan frustration. Speaker Johnson expressed anger over this addition, promising a separate vote on the issue next week.
While the shutdown has officially ended, its political and economic fallout continues to reverberate. The upcoming December battle over health care subsidies could reopen wounds in Washington, making it clear that this saga is far from over.
As millions of Americans breathe a sigh of relief, they remain on edge as the political landscape shifts yet again. The stakes are high, and all eyes will be watching how this situation evolves in the coming weeks.
