US House Faces Key Vote to End Record Government Shutdown as Pressure Mounts

The United States House of Representatives is preparing for a crucial vote on Wednesday that could bring an end to the longest government shutdown in American history. The budget bill, already passed by the Senate, would temporarily fund federal agencies for two months and allow millions of federal employees to return to work.

Now in its 42nd day, the shutdown has disrupted nearly every corner of public life. Around one million federal workers have gone without pay, food assistance programs have been halted for low-income families, and air travel has been thrown into chaos as unpaid air traffic controllers continue to call in sick. The standoff, which began on October 1, has stretched through major holidays and sparked widespread frustration across the country.

President Donald Trump signaled on Tuesday that he would sign the funding measure if it reaches his desk. Speaking at a Veterans Day event in Arlington, Virginia, he said, “We’re opening up our country. It should have never been closed.” His comments offered the clearest indication yet that the administration is ready to end the impasse, which has drawn criticism from both political parties.

Republican leaders expressed confidence that the measure would pass the House, despite their slim majority. The proposal mirrors the Senate version, which received bipartisan support earlier in the week. However, House Democrats have vowed to oppose it, arguing that it fails to address key economic concerns.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York told CNN, “We’re strongly opposed to this reckless Republican effort to continue raising the cost of living for everyday Americans.” He also voiced frustration with Senate Democrats who joined Republicans in backing the short-term spending plan.

The House Rules Committee approved the bill early Wednesday morning after a tense seven-hour session. The vote split along party lines, eight to four, as Republicans rejected Democratic efforts to add amendments that would extend health insurance subsidies — a key Democratic demand throughout the budget standoff.

The House is scheduled to reconvene at 4 p.m. Eastern Time for a one-hour debate before voting on the measure. If it passes, the bill will move to the president for his signature, officially ending the shutdown.

In the meantime, lawmakers are struggling to reach Washington amid widespread transportation disruptions. Nearly 1,200 flights were cancelled Tuesday due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. Some members of Congress shared their unusual travel stories on social media: Representative Rick Crawford of Arkansas said he was carpooling to Washington with fellow Republican Trent Kelly of Mississippi, while Wisconsin congressman Derrick Van Orden posted that he was making the 16-hour trip on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. “It’s going to be a little chilly,” he wrote, “but I will do my duty.”

For millions of Americans, the vote represents hope that the government will finally reopen after six weeks of paralysis. Yet even if the bill passes, it only funds federal agencies until January, meaning another budget showdown could be looming soon.