House Votes to Reopen Federal Government After 40-Day Shutdown

After more than 40 days, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history may finally be coming to an end. The House of Representatives is voting on a bill to reopen the federal government, with the measure expected to narrowly pass before being signed by President Trump later tonight.

Live images from the House floor show lawmakers casting their votes, with the tally continuing to shift as members make their decisions. Republicans say they are confident the bill will pass, though the margin is expected to be tight.

If approved, the deal will fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through next September and guarantee back pay for furloughed federal employees. However, officials say the timing for distributing those payments still needs to be finalized.

The funding agreement will only keep the government open through January, raising concerns that another shutdown could occur early next year if new budget issues arise. Health care remains one of the major points of contention, with Democrats expressing frustration that the bill does not address the rising costs of medical coverage.

“I’m fighting to reopen the government and protect health care,” one Democratic member said from the Capitol steps. “Although this bill may reopen the government and bring relief, it does not lower costs or protect the Affordable Care Act.”

While passage of the bill would bring much-needed relief to millions of workers and families affected by the shutdown, lawmakers acknowledge that the financial and logistical repercussions could linger for weeks — and that the fight over future funding is far from over.

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