US House Ends Record Shutdown with Funding Bill

The US House of Representatives has approved a bill funding the government through January 30, 2026, marking the end of the longest shutdown in US history. The measure passed 222-209, with six Democrats crossing party lines to join Republicans, who hold a narrow majority. Two Republicans voted against it. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law that evening, resolving weeks of disruption.

The shutdown started October 1 over disputes on extending Affordable Care Act health tax credits, leading to federal layoffs and flight cancellations. Eight Senate Democrats broke ranks earlier, voting with Republicans to reopen government operations. Dissenters like Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez defended their votes, emphasizing the harm to everyday Americans from prolonged closure.

Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, labeled it a betrayal, accusing colleagues of siding with "MAGA extremists." Trump blamed Democrats for the chaos, stating it damaged their image.

Source: Video Screenshot

RT reports: According to NPR, the bill passed 222–209, with six Democrats joining Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the chamber. Two GOP legislators voted against the measure. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law later Wednesday evening.

The federal government entered a shutdown on October 1 over a dispute concerning health tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, which Democrats sought to extend into next year.

After weeks of bitter finger-pointing, and as federal employee layoffs and flight cancellations mounted, eight Senate Democrats broke ranks and voted with Republicans on Monday to reopen the government.

Many prominent Democrats condemned their colleagues for siding with “MAGA extremists” in both chambers. “We saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans. The American people need more from their leaders,” California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X.

The dissenting Democrats defended their actions, arguing that the layoffs were hurting ordinary Americans. “Staying in shutdown mode was not getting us anywhere,” Senator Jeanne Shaheen said.

Ahead of the House vote, Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, another Democrat who broke ranks, said that “the fight to stop runaway health insurance premiums won’t be won by holding hungry Americans hostage.”

Trump, who has blamed Democrats for more than 40 days of disruption, said the shutdown had made them “look very bad” as he signed the bill to reopen the government.