U.S. House Ends Longest-Ever Government Shutdown with Spending Bill

(MENAFN) The U.S. House of Representatives decisively broke the congressional stalemate Wednesday evening by approving a spending measure that terminates the record-breaking government shutdown. The 222-209 vote follows the Senate's 60-40 approval just two days prior, moving the legislation toward President Donald Trump's desk for anticipated signature.

The spending framework maintains most federal operations at existing funding levels through January 30, while delivering complete annual appropriations to the Agriculture Department, Veterans Affairs, military construction initiatives, congressional operations, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—a critical social safety net that faced elimination during the prolonged funding crisis.

Key provisions of the agreement eliminate furloughs imposed since the October 1 shutdown commenced and bar further workforce reductions through the continuing resolution's expiration. Federal workers will receive full back pay for their period without compensation, restoring wages that remain standard practice following such lapses, though President Trump has previously signaled resistance to such payments.

The breakthrough hinges partly on Senate Majority Leader John Thune's commitment to schedule a vote on Affordable Care Act subsidy enhancements no later than December's second week. Yet substantial Democratic opposition persists, with critics contending the agreement merely guarantees procedural action rather than substantive protection for healthcare benefits slated to expire year-end.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders denounced the accord as a "disaster," asserting Democrats extracted minimal concessions beyond a symbolic health insurance subsidy vote. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker echoed the criticism on X, characterizing the settlement as an "empty promise" rather than genuine relief.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York joined dissenting colleagues in voting against the package, though internal party friction has intensified with some members demanding his removal from leadership positions. While U.S. media outlets characterized the eight Democratic signatories as capitulating, lawmakers attributed their compromise to the mounting humanitarian toll the shutdown inflicted on Americans.

The measure addresses merely three of twelve mandatory annual appropriations bills, leaving nine remaining measures unresolved. Both chambers will continue negotiating outstanding funding vehicles during the temporary extension period, positioning the federal government for potential shutdown recurrence in approximately 60 days.

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