Members of the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington on Tuesday after a 53-day recess to vote on a deal that could end the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history, now in its 42nd day.
With nearly 1,200 flights canceled due to disruptions caused by the shutdown, several lawmakers endured difficult journeys to the Capitol.
Republican Representatives Rick Crawford of Arkansas and Trent Kelly of Mississippi said they carpooled, while Representative Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin shared a video on social media showing himself riding a motorcycle to Washington. “It’s going to be a little chilly, but I will do my duty,” he said.
The Republican-controlled House is expected to vote Wednesday afternoon on a compromise funding bill that would reopen federal agencies through January 30. The Senate approved the measure on Monday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that it will pass.
President Donald Trump has signaled support for the legislation, saying at a Veterans Day event in Arlington, Virginia, “We’re opening up our country. Should have never been closed.”
If enacted, the bill would temporarily restore government operations, allowing hundreds of thousands of unpaid federal workers to resume duties and low-income families to regain access to food subsidies through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The agreement would also extend SNAP funding until September 30, 2026, stabilizing benefits for millions of vulnerable Americans.
However, the deal has sparked divisions within the Democratic Party. Many Democrats wanted to extend healthcare subsidies for 24 million Americans beyond their current expiration date at year’s end.
Senate Republicans promised a separate vote on the issue in December, though its fate remains uncertain, and Johnson has not confirmed whether the House will take it up.
The shutdown began on October 1 after a standoff between the Republican-controlled Congress and Senate Democrats over spending priorities.
Trump intensified the conflict by withholding billions of dollars from Democratic-led states and cities and seeking to dismiss thousands of federal workers, actions critics say overstepped his executive authority.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in late October showed 50% of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 43% blamed Democrats.
Although the pending deal would prevent Trump from firing federal employees until January 30, it lacks broader safeguards against further unilateral spending cuts.
Still, the measure represents a critical step toward ending weeks of economic strain, air travel chaos, and uncertainty for millions of Americans reliant on federal services.
If the House approves the bill and Trump signs it into law, the U.S. government could be fully operational again within days, though experts warn it may take longer for air travel and other federal systems to return to normal.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
