House Lawmakers Prepare to End Historic Government Shutdown

Wed Nov 12 2025 18:27:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As House lawmakers return after eight weeks, they are set to vote on a bill aimed at ending the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, which has caused significant disruption nationwide.

House lawmakers will reconvene on Wednesday to potentially finalize a measure that could end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, as they look to address the impacts felt by federal workers and taxpayers. Despite some bipartisan support, many Democrats plan to oppose the bill due to its lack of provisions for extending health care subsidies. The shutdown, now in its 43rd day, has created widespread travel delays and halted vital services for many Americans.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers will make a long-awaited return to the nation’s capital on Wednesday after nearly eight weeks away to potentially put an end to the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.

The House is scheduled to take up a bill to reopen the government that the Senate passed on Monday night. President Donald Trump called the measure a “very big victory,” and it’s expected to pass the Republican-led chamber. However, travel delays due to the shutdown might complicate the vote, with Speaker Mike Johnson needing perfect attendance from fellow Republicans.

Since Sept. 19, the House has not been in session. At that time, they passed a short-term funding patch to keep the government open when the new budget year commenced in October. Johnson sent lawmakers home afterward, putting the onus on the Senate to act.

Democrats have criticized Republicans for what they view as neglecting their duties while federal employees went without pay and many travelers experienced delays. Johnson defended the break, claiming that House members were working hard in their districts.

Most Democratic lawmakers are anticipated to vote against the measure because it excludes an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, which are due to expire by year-end.

“Our strong expectation is that Democrats will be strongly opposed,” said Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York in advance of the vote.

Meanwhile, the compromise that was reached in the Senate includes funds for bipartisan annual spending bills and promises to revisit healthcare subsidies by mid-December. The legislation also addresses the firing of federal workers and guarantees their pay once the shutdown concludes.

As the House prepares for the vote, uncertainty lingers around the future of health care policy in Congress and the potential impacts on countless Americans.