President Donald Trump has signed legislation ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and reopening the federal government.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday night to reopen the federal government and end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Members of the House of Representatives returned to Washington on Wednesday after nearly eight weeks out of session and voted 222 to 209 to pass the bill earlier passed by the Senate to reopen the government, sending it to the president’s desk.
Some agencies had already begun sending emails Wednesday to government employees telling furloughed workers to expect to return to the office on Thursday.
The Senate passed the bill on Monday night after eight members of the Democratic caucus joined Republicans in supporting the measure to avoid a 60-vote filibuster. Eight senators broke ranks with the Democrats after reaching the conclusion that Republicans would not bend on using the measure to continue the expiring health care tax credits.
The compromise measure funds three bipartisan annual spending bills and extends the rest of government funding through Jan. 30. Republicans also promised to hold a vote in the Senate to extend the health care subsidies by mid-December, but there is no guarantee of success.
The legislation includes a reversal of the firing of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown began. It also protects federal workers against further layoffs through January and guarantees they are paid once the shutdown is over. The full-year funding in the bill for the Agriculture Department means people who rely on key food assistance programs will see those benefits funded without threat of interruption through the rest of the budget year.
Health care debate ahead
It’s unclear whether the parties will find any common ground on health care before the December vote in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will not commit to bringing it up in his chamber.
Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the COVID-19 pandemic-era tax credits as premiums will soar for millions of people, but they also want new limits on who can receive the subsidies. Some argue that the tax dollars for the plans should be routed through individuals rather than go directly to insurance companies.
House Democrats expressed great skepticism that the Senate effort would lead to a breakthrough.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.