House Prepares to Vote on Bill to End Government Shutdown After 43 Days
Funding Bill Vote Scheduled
The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a funding package aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown, which has stretched into its 43rd day. The vote is expected around 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, with House Speaker Mike Johnson expressing optimism that the bill will pass. This marks the first convening of the House since September 19, 2025.
The Senate passed the funding package earlier this week, which extends funding for most government agencies through January 30, while also incorporating full-year funding provisions for specific sectors. A bipartisan effort saw eight Democrats joining Republicans to agree on the deal.
High Hopes from GOP Leaders
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise conveyed confidence in the vote’s outcome, stating, “We’re going to get this government back open today.” Scalise noted that the initial discussions would begin at 5 p.m., followed by the final vote expected in the early evening hours.
In response to concerns about healthcare policy, particularly the Democrats’ push for extending health insurance tax credits, Scalise reiterated that the House Republicans remain open to collaborating on beneficial policies but will not commit to a vote without seeing the specifics of any proposal that may come from the Senate.
Freedom Caucus Responds Favorably
The House Freedom Caucus has hailed the Senate-passed funding package as “a complete and total win.” According to an internal document shared with CBS News, the caucus highlighted its success in blocking previous omnibus spending bills and maintaining fiscal discipline without bending to what they term “big spending” demands from Democrats.
Speaker Johnson’s Statement
In press comments earlier in the day, Speaker Johnson expressed that “the long national nightmare will be over tonight,” emphasizing a need to take responsibility for the shutdown, which he attributed to Democratic resistance to earlier short-term funding measures. “I want to apologize to any Americans who are still experiencing flight cancellations or delays,” he said.
Upcoming Swearing-In and Legislative Actions
Democrat Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election in September, will be sworn in shortly before the House debates the funding bill. Her swearing-in will complete the signatures needed to facilitate a discharge petition that aims to compel the Juststart Department to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Committee Actions and Amendments
The House Rules Committee successfully moved the Senate-passed funding bill forward overnight, setting the stage for floor deliberations. Despite discussions, amendments from Democrats to extend healthcare tax credits and to remove provisions allowing for lawsuits concerning data seizures were rejected.
Conclusion
As the House reconvenes after an extended absence due to the shutdown, all eyes will be on the vote that could reopen the government by the end of Wednesday. The GOP leadership is hopeful for bipartisan support, while disagreement over healthcare and other contentious issues continues to simmer.