The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Wednesday to put an end to the longest government shutdown in the country’s history. President Donald Trump signed the bill later that evening, bringing to a close a 43-day period where federal workers missed paychecks, travelers found themselves stuck at airports, and individuals queued up at food banks to feed their families.
After an almost eight-week hiatus, House lawmakers returned to Washington, D.C., with Republicans leveraging their slight majority to pass the bill by a vote of 222-209. The Senate had previously passed the same measure.
President Trump’s signature signaled the conclusion of the second government shutdown under his administration, highlighting deep partisan divides in Washington. The shutdown prompted unprecedented unilateral actions by the administration, such as project cancellations and attempts to dismiss federal employees, in an effort to pressure Democrats to yield on their demands.
Democrats pushed for an extension of a tax credit that reduces health coverage costs obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces, which was due to expire at year-end. They opposed a short-term spending bill that did not include this provision, while Republicans argued that this policy issue should be addressed separately.
The shutdown underscored the stark political rifts within Congress, evident during debates over the bill on the House floor. Republicans accused Democrats of exploiting the shutdown’s hardships for political gain, while Democrats criticized Republicans for prioritizing tax breaks over extending healthcare subsidies.
Although the bill passed, Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that the fight for the subsidy extension was far from over. The legislation, supported by eight senators who broke ranks with Democrats, funds three annual spending bills and extends government funding until January 30. It also reverses federal worker terminations, protects against further layoffs through January, and ensures workers receive back pay once the shutdown concludes.