US Government Shutdown Ends: House Passes Bill, Trump Expected to Sign

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The US government shutdown, the longest in the nation's history, came to an end on Wednesday after the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding bill. The bill, which aims to provide funds for key departments, including the military, veterans, and agriculture, is expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump. The Republican-controlled House voted 222-209 in favor of the bill, which will keep the federal government running until the end of January. The shutdown, which lasted for 43 days, had a significant impact on the country, with an estimated $14 billion in lost economic growth. However, with the bill's passage, around 670,000 furloughed government employees are expected to return to work, and another 670,000 who continued working without pay will receive back pay. The bill also includes provisions to strengthen security for lawmakers and Supreme Court justices, as well as funding for the Department of Agriculture, which will ensure that those relying on food assistance programs can continue to receive benefits. The package will add approximately $1.8 trillion to the country's $38 trillion debt by the end of January. The deal may also pave the way for a Senate vote on extending health insurance subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. While Speaker Mike Johnson has not made a promise to hold a House vote on the subsidies, the passage of the funding bill marks a significant step forward in resolving the government shutdown.