Congress approves deal to reopen government, awaits Trump’s final nod

After 43 days of a government shutdown, the US House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday to reopen the government and restore normal operations. The decision came after weeks of political deadlock that had disrupted public services, delayed federal paychecks, and caused long lines at airports and food banks.

The bill now moves to President Donald Trump for his signature, which would officially end one of the longest shutdowns in US history. The Senate had already passed the measure earlier, paving the way for final approval.

House lawmakers returned to Washington, D.C., this week after almost two months away. The Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the House, managed to push the bill through with a 222-209 vote, mostly along party lines.

The shutdown had created a difficult situation for millions of Americans, including federal employees who missed multiple paychecks, families struggling to pay bills, and travellers facing disruptions due to reduced airport staffing. The closure had also slowed several government programs, including food assistance, health services, and public safety operations.

Republicans said ending the shutdown was necessary to prevent further economic harm. “We told you 43 days ago from bitter experience that government shutdowns don't work,” said Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “They never achieve the objective that you announce. And guess what? You haven't achieved that objective yet, and you're not going to.”

Parties clash over health tax credit and spending priorities

The end of the shutdown came after intense disagreement between Democrats and Republicans over government spending priorities. At the heart of the dispute was a Democratic proposal to extend an enhanced health tax credit, which helps reduce the cost of insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. The credit is set to expire at the end of this year.

Democrats argued that the extension was necessary to make healthcare more affordable for working families. They refused to support a short-term spending bill that left the issue unresolved.

However, Republicans disagreed, saying that the tax credit debate should be handled separately from the funding bill. They accused Democrats of using the shutdown to pressure Congress into approving unrelated policy changes.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticised Democrats, saying they “knew it would cause pain and they did it anyway.” He argued that the shutdown had been used as a political weapon to gain leverage rather than find compromise.

Democrats countered by pointing to Republican tax policies, claiming they favoured the wealthy instead of ordinary citizens. Rep. Jim McGovern, a Democrat from Massachusetts, said the spending bill “leaves families twisting in the wind with zero guarantee there will ever, ever be a vote to extend tax credits to help everyday people pay for their health care.”

Despite the loss on the specific policy demand, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed to continue fighting for the health subsidy. “This fight is not over,” he said. “We’re just getting started.”

Shutdown highlights deep political divisions in Congress

The 43-day shutdown once again exposed the deep partisan divisions that have long troubled Congress. Both sides blamed each other for the stalemate, and compromise seemed nearly impossible until economic and public pressure mounted.

The shutdown affected nearly every corner of government. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers were furloughed or worked without pay. National parks were closed, some airports faced delays as security staff called in sick, and many government programs were forced to suspend services. Local businesses that depend on federal spending also suffered losses.

ALSO READ: Delhi’s winter pollution may lower your body’s natural defenses, say doctors

ALSO READ: The AI boom: innovation surge or bubble waiting to burst?

Economists warned that the prolonged closure could slow down the economy and reduce public trust in government institutions. As the situation worsened, public opinion polls showed increasing frustration among voters, urging both parties to reach an agreement.

The bill passed by the House is expected to fund the government temporarily, allowing agencies to resume operations while Congress continues to negotiate longer-term spending plans. The White House welcomed the move, calling it an “important step toward stability” but also urging Congress to work together on future funding packages.

Political analysts noted that while the measure ended the immediate crisis, it did not resolve the larger budget disputes that could resurface in the coming months. Disagreements over healthcare funding, tax policies, and defence spending are expected to remain key points of contention as lawmakers move into the next fiscal year.

As President Trump prepares to sign the bill, attention will now shift to how both parties plan to rebuild trust and prevent another shutdown. Many experts believe that bipartisan cooperation will be crucial to avoid another political standoff that could harm federal employees and citizens alike.

For now, the passage of the bill marks a temporary end to the chaos that gripped the nation for over six weeks. Federal offices are expected to reopen soon, and workers will begin receiving back pay. However, the debate over how to balance national priorities and party interests is far from over.