Government Shutdown Could Soon End
It seems the House is moving toward concluding the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, as lawmakers are hurrying back to the Capitol after their extended break.
On Tuesday, the House Rules Committee has a meeting scheduled for after 5 p.m. to review a revised funding proposal from the Senate, according to sources. This follows a shutdown that has lasted 42 days, causing significant disruptions like flight delays for many and leaving millions without crucial federal benefits. Thousands of federal employees have been left either unpaid or furloughed, but there’s a possibility this could change by week’s end.
The Rules Committee serves as the final checkpoint before bills are voted on by the full House. Members on specific committees will determine how the bill is handled—this includes whether amendments can be proposed and when the debate can take place.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has discussed the projected timeline for resolving the shutdown, giving some hope for a quick resolution.
The current funding legislation is anticipated to clear the committee stage mostly along party lines. Democrats are expected to vote against it, aligning with their leadership, while Republicans have not shown signs of substantial dissent.
Interestingly, Rep. Chip Roy from Texas and Rep. Ralph Norman from South Carolina, who usually express concerns about the conservativeness of Republican measures, indicated they would support the funding plan. Roy reaffirmed his intent to back it on the House floor, signaling he likely wouldn’t oppose it during the committee discussions.
When asked about his perspectives on the deal, Norman mentioned, in a text, that he would likely support the bill if it corresponded with the details being discussed, especially concerning spending limits outlined in previously passed bills.
This deal encompasses a funding extension through January 30, aimed at allowing further negotiations for the upcoming fiscal year.
Moving forward, lawmakers also have opportunities to pass legislation for various departments, including Agriculture and Veterans Affairs—part of a series of 12 bills designed to facilitate appropriations.
Democrats, if successful, could reverse layoffs imposed during the previous administration and ensure furlough pay for affected workers. They would also likely secure a vote on extending health care subsidies previously enhanced during the pandemic but set to expire soon.
However, there’s been pushback regarding the lack of guarantees for these initiatives in the House. As a result, some Democrats feel they’ve given in too easily, creating frustration within the more progressive factions of the party.
The full House plans to review the proposal on Wednesday afternoon. Once a rules vote is passed, the actual bill will be voted on that same evening.
Most lawmakers were flexible with their schedules due to ongoing flight disruptions attributed to the shutdown, which add another layer of urgency to the situation. The last time the House convened was September 19 when they approved a temporary funding bill, which included token support from some Democrats despite dissent among certain Republicans.
As of now, no House Republicans have publicly opposed the new funding measure.
