U.S. House Reconvenes to Vote on Ending Record-Breaking Government Shutdown After Prolonged Recess

Washington – Members of the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington on Wednesday after an almost eight-week absence, preparing to vote on legislation aimed at terminating the longest government shutdown in American history.

The chamber is set to consider a funding measure approved by the Senate late Monday, which President Donald Trump hailed as a “very big victory.” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed confidence in its passage, stating to reporters, “We think this is going to happen and we’re sorry it took this long.” Potential travel disruptions from the shutdown could affect attendance, but Johnson remained “very optimistic.”

The House last convened on September 19, when it approved a temporary funding extension before the fiscal year started in October. Johnson then adjourned the session, urging the Senate to take action and insisting Republicans had fulfilled their responsibilities.

Democrats criticized Republicans for recessing while federal employees missed paychecks, airports faced delays, and food aid programs lapsed. Johnson countered that representatives were assisting constituents in their districts during the crisis.

Most Democrats plan STAND to oppose the bill, arguing it omits extensions for Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire year-end, which lower premiums for millions. Gathering on the Capitol steps, they condemned the proposal. “We cannot support the Republican effort to gut the health care of the American people,” declared House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Johnson described the bill as ending “our long national nightmare.”

On its 43rd day, the shutdown prompted a bipartisan Senate compromise after eight Democrats joined Republicans, concluding further concessions on healthcare were unlikely. The package funds three full-year appropriations bills and extends others until January 30. Republicans pledged a mid-December vote on healthcare subsidies, though success is uncertain.

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“We had reached a point where I think a number of us believed that the shutdown had been very effective in raising the concern about health care,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., adding the promise allows ongoing efforts.

The deal reverses recent federal worker dismissals by the Trump administration, safeguards against future layoffs until January, and ensures back pay. It secures Agriculture Department funding for food assistance through the fiscal year.

Additional provisions allocate $203.5 million for congressional security and $28 million for Supreme Court justices. Democrats objected to a clause enabling senators to sue over unnotified searches of their electronic records, potentially yielding $500,000 per violation—seen as aiding Republicans in probes related to Trump’s 2020 election challenges.

Republican Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, House Appropriations chairman, accused Democrats of hypocrisy on the subsidies, noting, “It’s a subsidy on top of a subsidy. Our friends added it during COVID… They set a date certain that the subsidies would run out.”

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the bill inadequate for addressing healthcare needs.

Prospects for a December healthcare agreement remain unclear, with some Republicans open to extensions with restrictions, like income caps. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, supported changes, stating, “We do need to act by the end of the year.”

House Democrats doubted Senate progress would yield results.