House Lawmakers Return to Address Longest Government Shutdown in U.S. History

Mon Dec 15 2025 07:21:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

After an extended absence, House Democrats and Republicans convene to vote on a Senate-passed bill aimed at ending the federal government shutdown, igniting tense debates over health care subsidies and fiscal responsibilities.

House lawmakers are set to reconvene in Washington, D.C. after nearly eight weeks, motivated by an urgent need to resolve the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. The Senate has already passed a funding bill, which is likely to face opposition from most Democrats who argue it lacks provisions to extend critical health care subsidies. Speaker Mike Johnson emphasizes the importance of unity among Republicans for the measure to pass, while Democrats criticize their absence during the shutdown's toll on federal workers and social services. The proposed legislation not only seeks to fund government operations through January but also includes discussions around health care tax credits that are nearing expiration.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers will make a long-awaited return to the nation’s capital on Wednesday after nearly eight weeks away to potentially put an end to the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.

The House is scheduled to take up a bill to reopen the government that the Senate passed on Monday night. President Donald Trump called the measure a “very big victory,” and it’s expected to pass the Republican-led chamber. However, potential travel delays due to the shutdown could complicate the vote. Speaker Mike Johnson may need nearly perfect attendance from fellow Republicans to get the measure over the finish line.

The House has not been in legislative session since Sept. 19 when it passed a short-term funding patch to keep the government open when the new budget year began in October. Johnson sent lawmakers home after that vote and put the onus on the Senate to act, stating that House Republicans had fulfilled their responsibilities.

Democrats seized on the opportunity to criticize Republicans for going on vacation while federal workers went unpaid, travelers faced airport delays, and food assistance benefits lapsed. Johnson defended the absence, claiming members were engaged in important work within their districts.

The vast majority of Democratic lawmakers are expected to vote against the measure, citing its lack of provisions for extending Affordable Care Act tax credits expiring at year's end, which are crucial for many Americans' health coverage. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York expressed strong opposition to the pending legislation.

Despite the anticipated Democratic dissent, Johnson stated, “Our long national nightmare is finally coming to an end, and we’re grateful for that,” while others in his party praised the Senate's bipartisan effort to reach a compromise.

The compromise measure funds three annual bipartisan spending bills and extends government funding through January 30, alongside bearing provisions for federal workforce protections and a promise of discussions around health care subsidies in the near future.

As the clock ticks toward potential resolutions, the debate over health care subsidies is expected to heat up, with both parties acknowledging it will require further negotiation to find common ground.