After weeks of gridlock, a flicker of hope emerges as the House gears up to vote on a plan to halt the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Newsmax reported that on Wednesday, House Republicans, joined by a handful of Democrats crossing party lines, are poised to pass a stopgap funding package that would reopen the government, restore vital services like food assistance, pay federal workers, and get the air-traffic control system back on track.
This vote comes after a tense Senate breakthrough on Monday, when eight Senate Democrats defied their leadership to push the funding deal through.
The package, extending government funding until January 30, 2026, includes full-year appropriations for military construction, agriculture programs, and legislative operations, but it’s not without controversy.
Buried in the deal is a provision allowing eight Republican senators to pursue damages up to $500,000 each for alleged privacy violations tied to the January 6, 2021, Capitol investigation—a move that’s raised eyebrows even among fiscal conservatives.
While the House Freedom Caucus isn’t expected to derail the plan, token opposition from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., signals not all GOP members are thrilled with the compromise.
House Democrats, emboldened by recent election wins in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, are frustrated that the deal failed to secure an extension of federal health insurance subsidies, leaving that fight for a December 2025 Senate vote.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has made no promises to take up the subsidy issue in the House, keeping the focus squarely on reopening government operations.
“My urgent plea of all my colleagues in the House – that means every Democrat in the House – is to think carefully, pray and finally do the right thing,” said Johnson, urging unity in a time of crisis.
Let’s hope that prayer includes a plan to address the ballooning $38 trillion federal debt, which this package adds another $1.8 trillion to annually.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., didn’t mince words on social media today, stating, “Donald Trump and Republicans believe the affordability crisis in America is made up.”
He added, “That's why these extremists haven't done a damn thing to lower the high cost of living. You deserve better.” While Jeffries’ frustration is palpable, it’s worth asking if Democrats’ obsession with subsidies is blinding them to the immediate need to get federal workers paid and services running.
Early this morning at 1:38 a.m. ET, the House Rules Committee voted 8-4 along party lines to set the stage for floor debate, allowing just one hour of discussion with no amendments before the final vote late today.
President Donald Trump, who has backed the bill and called the Senate passage “a very big victory,” is expected to sign the package into law if it clears the House, maintaining rare Republican unity despite Democratic opposition.
Meanwhile, today’s House session also includes swearing in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., who won a special election in September 2025, and whose signature could force a vote on releasing unclassified Jeffrey Epstein records—though Johnson insists that’s not the day’s priority.