US House Set to Vote on Bill that Could End Lengthy Government Shutdown as Democrats Rebel Against Compromise
In a move aimed at ending the longest-ever government shutdown, the US House of Representatives is poised to vote on a bill that could provide a temporary fix, but with significant caveats. The measure, which would fund the federal government through January 2026, has sparked a fierce backlash among Democrats who claim the Senate-brokered compromise fails to extend expiring healthcare subsidies.
The proposed legislation, backed by all Republicans except Rand Paul and eight moderate Democratic lawmakers, includes three-year provisions that would fund programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, USDA, FDA, and legislative branch operations. However, its omission of tax credits for healthcare subsidies has left millions of Americans vulnerable to sharp rises in healthcare premiums or loss of marketplace coverage.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has vowed that his party will vote against the proposal, citing concerns that Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. A group of Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Jeffries, unveiled an amendment to extend these subsidies for three years but rejected it by the Republican-controlled House rules committee on Tuesday night.
With President Trump backing the Senate bill, saying it was "a very big victory," Republicans seem optimistic about its passage. However, with only two Republican votes needed to pass the measure, losses are inevitable, and defections from the party's ranks could further exacerbate the crisis.
As hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers miss paychecks and millions risk losing food assistance, the House vote is set to take place on day 42 of the shutdown. The bill's fate remains uncertain as lawmakers prepare for what promises to be a contentious debate.
In a move aimed at ending the longest-ever government shutdown, the US House of Representatives is poised to vote on a bill that could provide a temporary fix, but with significant caveats. The measure, which would fund the federal government through January 2026, has sparked a fierce backlash among Democrats who claim the Senate-brokered compromise fails to extend expiring healthcare subsidies.
The proposed legislation, backed by all Republicans except Rand Paul and eight moderate Democratic lawmakers, includes three-year provisions that would fund programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, USDA, FDA, and legislative branch operations. However, its omission of tax credits for healthcare subsidies has left millions of Americans vulnerable to sharp rises in healthcare premiums or loss of marketplace coverage.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has vowed that his party will vote against the proposal, citing concerns that Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. A group of Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Jeffries, unveiled an amendment to extend these subsidies for three years but rejected it by the Republican-controlled House rules committee on Tuesday night.
With President Trump backing the Senate bill, saying it was "a very big victory," Republicans seem optimistic about its passage. However, with only two Republican votes needed to pass the measure, losses are inevitable, and defections from the party's ranks could further exacerbate the crisis.
As hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers miss paychecks and millions risk losing food assistance, the House vote is set to take place on day 42 of the shutdown. The bill's fate remains uncertain as lawmakers prepare for what promises to be a contentious debate.