House votes to fund government, ending longest ever government shutdown

"The House of Representatives has approved a bill that funds the government through Jan. 30, bringing a close to the longest government shutdown in history, one that saw millions of Americans affected and ended with little political gain. The bill passed Wednesday night despite Republicans' narrow margin in the House. While there was near-unified opposition from Democrats, six Democrats joined their Republican colleagues to get the bill over the finish line 43 days after the shutdown began."

"In addition to extending last year's spending levels through the end of January for most of the government, the bill provides funding for some agencies through the end of next September, including payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program, which provides food aid to nearly 1 in 8 Americans, has been mired in a court battle because of the shutdown. The bill includes a measure to reverse layoffs the Trump administration imposed during the shutdown, provides backpay for federal employees,"

The House approved a bill funding the government through Jan. 30, ending a 43-day shutdown that affected millions. The measure passed 222 to 209 with six Democrats joining most Republicans and two Republicans opposing. President Trump was expected to sign the bill to allow many federal workers to return to work. The bill extends most agencies at last year’s spending levels through January and funds some agencies through next September, including SNAP payments. The bill reverses administration layoffs imposed during the shutdown and provides backpay for federal employees. The bill does not extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, and a mid-December Senate vote on subsidy legislation was pledged, leaving some Senate Democrats skeptical.

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