House Set to Vote on Reopening Federal Government After Key Funding Bill Hurdle
The House is set to vote on reopening the federal government following the survival of a key funding bill hurdle earlier in the day. The bipartisan agreement to end the 42-day government shutdown made progress through the House Rules Committee, with Republicans in favor and Democrats against. The bill is now headed to the full House for consideration, where it is expected to pass with strong Republican support. This move marks a significant step toward ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
The House Rules Committee's hearing to advance the bill lasted over six hours, starting on Tuesday evening and concluding early Wednesday morning. During the hearing, Democrats tried to push for amendments related to expiring Obamacare subsidies and other issues opposed by Republicans, but these attempts were unsuccessful. The session also saw heated exchanges between members from both parties, with accusations and disagreements over various provisions in the funding bill.
One contentious provision in the bill allows GOP senators to sue the federal government for obtaining their phone records during a previous investigation. Some lawmakers criticized this provision as self-serving and called for its removal or amendment. The bill will now undergo a House-wide "rule vote" before proceeding to a final vote, expected to take place on Wednesday evening, to send it to President Donald Trump for approval.
President Trump has indicated his support for the legislation, stating that the country will reopen quickly. The Senate recently passed the bill in a bipartisan vote, breaking weeks of gridlock and paving the way for government operations to resume. The shutdown has caused disruptions at U.S. airports and left many federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, working without pay.
The funding bill aims to extend federal funding levels through January 30, providing more time for negotiations on a longer-term budget deal. It includes provisions to fund various government departments and reverse layoffs that occurred during the shutdown. Additionally, a side-deal in the Senate ensures a vote on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire soon. Speaker Mike Johnson has not made a similar commitment in the House, indicating potential differences in approach between the chambers.