The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday to end the nation’s longest government shutdown, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature after a historic 43-day funding lapse. The lapse had left federal workers without multiple paychecks, travellers stranded at airports, and people queuing at food banks to get a meal for their families.
Lawmakers returned to the nation’s capital this week after nearly eight weeks away, with Republicans using their slight majority to carry the bill by a vote of 222-209. The Senate had already passed the measure, AP reported. Thunderous applause could be heard in the House of Representatives as the bill to end the shutdown passed.At the end, Six Democrats crossed the aisle to back the Republican-led measure. Only two Republicans voted against it, Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Greg Steube of Florida.
What’s next?
The White House said Wednesday night that President Donald Trump will sign the govt funding bill on camera from the Oval Office at 9:45 pm ET Wednesday (8:15 am Thursday) to reopen the federal govt. The signing has been formally added to the President’s daily schedule, assuming it passes the House as expected. Trump had initially planned a private dinner at 7:30 pm ET with coverage by some White House press, but that event was closed to media. Instead, cameras will be allowed into the Oval Office for the on-camera signing, according to the White House. The change in schedule follows a White House press briefing earlier in the day, during which press secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted that reporters might see the President later in the evening when he signs the bill. The signing would mark the official end of the longest government shutdown in US history.
