U.S. House of Representatives lawmakers are making a long-awaited return to the nation's capital on Wednesday after nearly eight weeks away to potentially put an end to the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. The House is scheduled to take up a bill to reopen the government that the Senate passed on Monday night.
When will the house vote to reopen the government?
Lawmakers on Wednesday afternoon take up legislation that would end the longest government shutdown in American history. The bill, which passed the Senate on Monday and has President Donald Trump's support, has sizable momentum on Day 43 of the shutdown, and its approval by the House would clear it for Trump's signature. But Republicans' narrow margin of control and strong opposition from most Democrats are likely to make for an uncomfortably close vote.
The vote could begin at 4 pm (ET) on Wednesday, November 12.
The House has not been in legislative session since September 19. That's when it passed a short-term funding patch to keep the government open when the new budget year began in October. Johnson sent lawmakers home after that vote and put the onus on the Senate to act, saying House Republicans did their job.
Democrats seized on the opportunity to cast Republicans as going on vacation while the federal workforce went without paychecks, travelers experienced airport delays and food assistance benefits expired.
Speaker Mike Johnson is hoping that the House will quickly take up and pass the Senate's measure to reopen the government. But several challenges may lie in store. Johnson presides over a very slim majority.
Given the prospect of a tight vote, Johnson is also likely to need every Republican member to return. Action, which House leaders have said may begin late Wednesday afternoon, could be delayed as lawmakers contend with the mounting air travel problems that have been one of the most visible consequences of the shutdown fight.
The legislation that passed on Monday, would fund the government through January 30 and includes spending bills that cover programs related to agriculture, military construction, veterans and legislative agencies for most of next year. The measure also includes a provision that would restore the jobs of federal workers who were laid off during the shutdown and guarantee back pay for those who were furloughed.
Opposition Democrats are livid because they claimed that it fails to meet their chief demand of extending federal health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.
Q1. Who is House Speaker?
A1. House Speaker is Mike Johnson.
Q2. What are key features of legislation that passed on Monday?
A2. The legislation that passed on Monday, would fund the government through January 30 and includes spending bills that cover programs related to agriculture, military construction, veterans and legislative agencies for most of next year. The measure also includes a provision that would restore the jobs of federal workers who were laid off during the shutdown and guarantee back pay for those who were furloughed. Solid opposition of Democrats who are livid that it fails to meet their chief demand of extending federal health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.
When will the house vote to reopen the government?
Lawmakers on Wednesday afternoon take up legislation that would end the longest government shutdown in American history. The bill, which passed the Senate on Monday and has President Donald Trump's support, has sizable momentum on Day 43 of the shutdown, and its approval by the House would clear it for Trump's signature. But Republicans' narrow margin of control and strong opposition from most Democrats are likely to make for an uncomfortably close vote.
The vote could begin at 4 pm (ET) on Wednesday, November 12.
The House has not been in legislative session since September 19. That's when it passed a short-term funding patch to keep the government open when the new budget year began in October. Johnson sent lawmakers home after that vote and put the onus on the Senate to act, saying House Republicans did their job.
Democrats seized on the opportunity to cast Republicans as going on vacation while the federal workforce went without paychecks, travelers experienced airport delays and food assistance benefits expired.
Speaker Mike Johnson is hoping that the House will quickly take up and pass the Senate's measure to reopen the government. But several challenges may lie in store. Johnson presides over a very slim majority.
Given the prospect of a tight vote, Johnson is also likely to need every Republican member to return. Action, which House leaders have said may begin late Wednesday afternoon, could be delayed as lawmakers contend with the mounting air travel problems that have been one of the most visible consequences of the shutdown fight.
The legislation that passed on Monday, would fund the government through January 30 and includes spending bills that cover programs related to agriculture, military construction, veterans and legislative agencies for most of next year. The measure also includes a provision that would restore the jobs of federal workers who were laid off during the shutdown and guarantee back pay for those who were furloughed.
Opposition Democrats are livid because they claimed that it fails to meet their chief demand of extending federal health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.
FAQs
Q1. Who is House Speaker?
A1. House Speaker is Mike Johnson.
Q2. What are key features of legislation that passed on Monday?
A2. The legislation that passed on Monday, would fund the government through January 30 and includes spending bills that cover programs related to agriculture, military construction, veterans and legislative agencies for most of next year. The measure also includes a provision that would restore the jobs of federal workers who were laid off during the shutdown and guarantee back pay for those who were furloughed. Solid opposition of Democrats who are livid that it fails to meet their chief demand of extending federal health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.
