The United States House of Representatives is poised to make a critical decision on Wednesday that could finally bring an end to the longest government shutdown in the nation's history, now stretching into its 42nd day.
Political Standoff Over Healthcare Subsidies
House Speaker Mike Johnson has called lawmakers back to Washington after keeping the chamber out of session for more than 50 days, setting the stage for a dramatic vote on the Senate-brokered compromise legislation. The move comes after a splinter group of Senate Democrats broke with their party on Monday to join Republicans in advancing a bill that would fund the federal government through the end of January, but without extending expiring healthcare subsidies.
The decision by eight moderate Democratic senators to support the Republican-backed measure has sparked furious backlash within their party. Many Democrats have labelled the plan a betrayal, with influential progressive groups even calling for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to resign over the compromise.
All Republicans supported the measure's passage except for Rand Paul of Kentucky, creating an unusual political alliance that has left Democratic leadership scrambling.
Real-World Consequences Deepen
As the political drama unfolds in Washington, the human and economic toll of the shutdown continues to mount. Hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers have missed paychecks, millions of Americans risk losing essential food assistance, and airlines are warning travellers to brace for continued disruptions to air travel services.
The short-term funding bill would extend government funding at current levels through January 2026 and includes three year-long provisions funding programmes at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the USDA and FDA, and legislative branch operations. The continuing resolution also contains crucial language to stop mass federal firings and reverse dismissals that occurred during the shutdown, prohibiting additional reductions until the end of January while guaranteeing back pay to workers who have spent weeks without income.
Healthcare Battle Reaches Critical Point
At the heart of the Democratic opposition lies the failure to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, which are set to expire. If these subsidies lapse, millions of Americans could face sharp rises in their healthcare premiums or lose their marketplace coverage entirely during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has made it clear that he expects House Democrats to vote against the proposal, stating at a Tuesday press conference on Capitol Hill that it was his "strong expectation" they would reject the bill. Democratic lawmakers attempted to introduce an amendment that would extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years, but the Republican-controlled House rules committee rejected the proposal on Tuesday night.
The senators who broke with the Democratic caucus did secure one concession - Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune agreed to hold a vote by mid-December on an extension of the tax credits, though this provides no guarantee of their preservation.
With a 219-member majority and assuming full attendance, Speaker Johnson can only afford to lose two votes on the bill. Kentucky representative Thomas Massie is likely to vote no, putting additional pressure on Republican leadership. Despite the narrow margins, Republican leaders have expressed optimism that the legislation will pass on Wednesday and be sent to the president for his signature.
Former President Trump weighed in on the development during a Veterans Day event at Arlington National Cemetery, congratulating Johnson and calling the Senate bill a "very big victory" while adding "We're opening up our country. Should have never been closed."
The House rules committee voted 8-4 along party lines on Tuesday night to advance the Senate package, setting the stage for Wednesday's crucial floor vote that could finally resolve the unprecedented government shutdown.
