One more dawn, one more day, one day more. The prolonged government shutdown, which Congress has been fighting over for the last 41 days, may end on Wednesday afternoon. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill that will fund the government through Jan. 30.
The Senate passed the measure Monday night after seven Democrats and one independent who caucuses with Democrats joined Republicans.
“I’m thankful to welcome you to what appears to be the beginning of the end of the longest government shutdown in US history, as shameful as that is,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said.
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The government shutdown began 41 days ago. Now, after an impasse that was defined by not just a lack of progress but criticism over an apparent lack of trying to make progress, Congress is about to fulfill its duty to pay the bills.
The House will vote on a new bill that temporarily funds the entire government through the end of January. It also funds Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture and the legislative branch for all of fiscal year 2026.
When the House passed the continuing resolution on Sept. 19, it was a party-line vote. All but two Republicans voted in favor, and all but one Democrat voted against.
So will they be able to pass the new Senate version on Wednesday afternoon? To put it simply, if this is going to get approved, for every Republican that decides to change their vote to “no,” they’ll need a Democrat to change their vote to “yes.”
Officially, House Democratic leadership is urging its members to vote no. They won’t support something that doesn’t renew the Affordable Care Act tax credits. They tried to get them extended for three years.
“Because of the Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis that already exists, that (Republicans) failed to address, health care for people all across this country is on the brink of becoming unaffordable,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told reporters Tuesday night.
Here are the Democrats who could vote yes:
- Rep. Henry Cuellar, Texas.
- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, Texas.
- Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Wash.
- Rep. Jared Golden, Maine.
- Rep. Susie Lee, Nev.
Here are the Republicans who could vote no:
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ga.
- Rep. Thomas Massie, Ky.
- Rep. Victoria Spartz, Ind.
- Rep. Warren Davidson, Ohio.
If they all vote as mentioned, the bill should pass, and the shutdown will end once the president signs it. In previous urgent situations like this, legislation has been quickly driven down Pennsylvania Avenue so the president can sign it immediately.
