The U.S. House of Representatives is slated to vote Wednesday on a Senate-passed package to reopen the government on day 43 of the shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. The measure would fund most agencies through January 30 and provide full‑year appropriations for agriculture, veterans and Congress, while guaranteeing back pay and continuing SNAP through September 2026. It omits an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, a key Democratic demand, though Senate leaders pledged a December vote on the issue.
On the 43rd day of the partial shutdown, House leaders prepared for floor action after a late‑night Rules Committee session advanced the bill early Wednesday. The package combines a short‑term continuing resolution through January 30 with full‑year funding for several areas, including the Department of Agriculture and military construction and veterans’ programs. It guarantees back pay for furloughed workers, reinstates employees who received layoff (reduction‑in‑force) notices during the shutdown, and ensures states are reimbursed for keeping nutrition programs running, with SNAP funded through September 2026.
The Senate approved the legislation Monday night in a 60–40 vote, with seven Democrats and one independent joining most Republicans. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Angus King of Maine were among those who helped broker the agreement. Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised a vote in December on extending ACA premium tax credits that expire at the end of 2025. Sen. Rand Paul was the lone Republican “no.”
Democrats remain sharply divided. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has urged Democrats to oppose the bill because it does not extend the ACA subsidies, calling it a partisan Republican measure that fails to protect health care. Progressive groups and some Democrats have pressed for new Senate leadership after the deal advanced; Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer voted against the package even as members of his caucus helped it pass. House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to bringing any ACA‑subsidy bill to the floor.
Republicans blame Democrats for prolonging the standoff. Rep. Mike Lawler of New York called the vote “42 days overdue” and said he supports a one‑year extension of the ACA subsidies while Congress debates broader reforms. He argued premiums in the private market have surged since 2010, a claim contested by independent analyses that show slower employer‑market premium growth in recent years. The White House has also faulted Democrats, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighting missed paychecks for federal workers and widespread travel disruptions during the shutdown.
The shutdown’s toll has been visible in air travel and the broader economy. Airlines for America estimates about 5.2 million passengers have been affected by staffing‑related delays and cancellations since October 1, after the FAA ordered flight reductions at major airports. The Congressional Budget Office warned the shutdown could shave up to 2% from fourth‑quarter GDP growth, with between $7 billion and $14 billion in economic losses that may not be recovered.
If the House approves the Senate package, President Donald Trump has signaled he will sign it. The deal would reopen the government within days but could set up another funding deadline at the end of January if Congress cannot agree on a longer‑term plan. The Senate’s promised December vote on ACA subsidies would shape that next phase, while the House’s stance on any extension remains uncertain.
