Trump Approves Funding Bill to Conclude Longest US Government Shutdown

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Trump Approves Funding Bill to Conclude Longest US Government Shutdown

The United States witnessed the conclusion of its longest government shutdown in history, lasting 42 days, as lawmakers reached a compromise. The shutdown officially ended on Wednesday, following the House of Representatives’ approval of a funding bill negotiated by both Republicans and a faction of Democrat-aligned senators.

Details of the Funding Bill

The bipartisan bill reinstates normal government operations until January. However, it leaves unresolved critical issues, particularly the expiration of tax credits related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare. Most Democrats sought inclusion of these credits in any deal aimed at reopening the government.

Voting Results

The Senate approved the compromise on a Monday, and the House confirmed it two days later, with a vote tally of 222 in favor and 209 against, while two representatives did not vote. President Donald Trump signed the bill on Wednesday evening, highlighting that it sent a “clear message” against what he termed extortion by Democrats.

Political Landscape and Reactions

Six Democrats sided with Republicans in support of the bill: Adam Gray (California), Tom Suozzi (New York), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington), Don Davis (North Carolina), Henry Cuellar (Texas), and Jared Golden (Maine). Conversely, two Republicans, Thomas Massie (Kentucky) and Greg Steube (Florida), voted against the measure.

House Republican leadership released a statement underscoring their belief that Democrats were responsible for significant disruptions, including food shortages among American families and airport travel chaos. In response, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the fight over ACA tax credits was far from over, asserting that voters would hold Republicans accountable in future elections.

Impacts of the Shutdown

Beginning on October 1, the shutdown affected approximately 700,000 federal employees who were furloughed. Furthermore, many service members, law enforcement officials, and security personnel continued to work without pay. The shutdown severely disrupted federal services, leading to cuts in air travel and halting national food aid programs.

Unresolved Healthcare Funding

The Democrats aimed to extend ACA tax credits that lowered premiums under the healthcare plan initiated during Joe Biden’s presidency. Despite negotiating a funding compromise, no additional allocations were made for these tax credits. Instead, Senate Majority Leader John Thune agreed to facilitate a vote on the topic by mid-December, although its support within the Republican Party remains uncertain.

Future Implications

As government funding is set to expire at the end of January, the debate over ACA subsidies is expected to resurface. Enrollers have already received notifications of potential premium hikes averaging 26%, raising concerns over affordability again. This upcoming deadline could present another pivotal moment for lawmakers to address healthcare funding.