US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
10 days ago
- #Affordable Care Act
- #government shutdown
- #House of Representatives
- The House of Representatives approved a bill to end the longest government shutdown in history, funding the government until Jan. 30.
- The bill passed with a vote of 222 to 209, with six Democrats joining Republicans and two Republicans voting against it.
- President Trump is expected to sign the bill, allowing federal workers to return to work.
- The bill extends last year's spending levels and provides funding for some agencies through September, including SNAP payments.
- It reverses layoffs imposed during the shutdown, provides backpay for federal employees, and offers protections against further layoffs.
- The bill does not address the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, a central issue of the shutdown.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune agreed to hold a vote in mid-December on Democrat-drafted legislation to extend the subsidies.
- Senate Democrats remain wary of the agreement, calling it insufficient without guarantees.
- The shutdown caused significant hardships, including unpaid work for federal employees and halted SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans.
- Democrats' strategy to force negotiations by standing firm during the shutdown did not succeed, as Republicans did not budge.
- Both parties face challenges ahead, including crafting legislation for ACA subsidies and passing additional appropriations bills.