U.S. House Passes Emergency Bill to End Record Government Shutdown

The US House of Representatives passed emergency legislation on Wednesday to terminate the longest government shutdown in American history, restoring operations across federal agencies after weeks of paralysis that furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers. The bipartisan measure, advanced amid mounting economic pressure and public backlash, cleared the chamber with strong support and now heads to President Donald Trump for final approval. Essential services, from national parks to tax processing, are set to resume immediately upon enactment.

President Trump is scheduled to sign the Senate-amended bill at 9:45 pm EST in a White House ceremony, marking a swift resolution to the 35-day impasse triggered by disputes over border security funding. The agreement includes temporary appropriations through February, averting deeper fiscal chaos while setting the stage for renewed negotiations on immigration policy. Lawmakers on both sides hailed the vote as a pragmatic step to prioritize national stability over partisan gridlock.

The shutdown, which began in late December, inflicted an estimated $11 billion in economic losses, disrupted air travel, halted food inspections, and left federal contractors unpaid. With paychecks missed for two cycles, public sector unions and affected families had intensified calls for compromise. Wednesday’s vote reflects a rare moment of congressional unity, driven by warnings from economists about irreversible damage to growth and credit ratings.

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Democratic leaders, who initially resisted concessions on wall funding, agreed to the short-term deal to ensure government functionality, while Republicans secured commitments for future security talks. Speaker of the House emphasized that the bill “puts people before politics,” enabling immediate backpay for affected employees. The Senate had passed its version unanimously earlier in the day, paving the way for rapid reconciliation.

As federal workers prepare to return to their posts, attention shifts to the February deadline, where failure to reach a broader budget accord could reignite the crisis. For now, the passage signals relief across the nation, with airports, museums, and regulatory offices gearing up for reopening. This developing breakthrough ends a historic standoff that tested the limits of political endurance in Washington.

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