House Prepares Vote to End 43-Day Government Shutdown

2025-11-12

The BareStory

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a funding package to end a 43-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. The chamber has not been in session since September 19. The legislation was passed by the Senate on Monday, and President Donald Trump has stated he will sign the bill. A final vote in the House is anticipated Wednesday evening.

The bill would extend funding for most government agencies until January 30, 2026, and provides for backpay for furloughed federal workers. It also includes full-year funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), veterans programs, and military construction. The shutdown has caused missed paychecks, flight cancellations, and interruptions to SNAP benefits for 42 million recipients. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that travel disruptions could continue even after a deal is passed.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was confident the bill would pass and that the "national nightmare" would end, blaming Democrats for the shutdown. The White House also expressed support for the bill while blaming Democrats for the impasse. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said he expects some Democrats to vote in favor of the package to help it pass.

House Democratic leadership is whipping members to vote against the legislation, citing the lack of an extension for Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats are considering a discharge petition to force a separate vote on the subsidies. The funding deal passed the Senate on a 60-40 vote with support from eight Democrats.

Left Perspective

The funding package is essential to end the shutdown
Democrats are responsible for the legislative impasse
Bipartisan support is expected to ensure the bill's passage

Right Perspective

The bill lacks a critical extension for ACA subsidies
An alternative legislative path is being considered for subsidies
The current deal is an unacceptable compromise

Left Perspective

• The funding package is essential to end the shutdown Speaker Mike Johnson characterized the 43-day government shutdown as a "national nightmare" and expressed confidence that this funding bill would bring it to an end. The White House also voiced its support for the legislation, which would fund most government agencies until January 2026 and provide backpay for furloughed workers.

• Democrats are responsible for the legislative impasse Both the White House and Speaker Johnson have publicly blamed Democrats for causing the government shutdown. From this perspective, passing the bill is a necessary step to resolve a crisis created by the opposition party's actions.

• Bipartisan support is expected to ensure the bill's passage The legislation has already passed the Senate with the support of eight Democrats. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise stated that he anticipates some Democrats in the House will also vote in favor of the package, helping it achieve the votes needed to pass.

Right Perspective

• The bill lacks a critical extension for ACA subsidies House Democratic leadership is organizing its members to vote against the funding deal because it fails to include an extension for Affordable care Act (ACA) subsidies. This omission is the central reason for their formal opposition to the legislation.

• An alternative legislative path is being considered for subsidies House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that Democrats are exploring the use of a discharge petition. This procedural move is intended to force a separate and direct vote on the issue of ACA subsidies, independent of the government funding bill.

• The current deal is an unacceptable compromise Despite the bill passing the Senate on a 60-40 vote that included support from some Senate Democrats, the House Democratic leadership finds the compromise insufficient. Their decision to whip members against the bill demonstrates a clear rejection of the terms negotiated in the Senate.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Government services like SNAP benefits will resume, and furloughed federal workers will receive backpay, ending disruptions caused by the 43-day shutdown.

• Air travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations, could continue in the short term even after government funding is restored.

• Most government agencies will be funded until January 2026, providing stability. SNAP and veterans programs will receive full-year funding.

• The funding bill does not extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. The outcome for these subsidies is uncertain, pending a potential separate vote.

House Prepares Vote to End 43-Day Government Shutdown

The BareStory

Left Perspective

Right Perspective

How it may affect me

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