House races to end record shutdown: the vote that could reopen the U.S. government tonight
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the House is poised to hold its first vote in 54 days to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The Senate passed the package 60–40 on Monday, and the White House says President Trump intends to sign it “tonight” if it reaches his desk — a pivotal moment after 43 days of furloughs, delayed paychecks, and nationwide service disruptions. [1]
The stopgap funds the government through January 30 and pairs a “clean” continuing resolution with three full‑year appropriations. Democratic opposition in the House centers on the bill’s omission of an Affordable Care Act subsidy extension, even as it restores back pay, reverses layoffs, and shores up food assistance funding. A tight Republican majority and shutdown‑induced travel delays add procedural drama to a vote expected this evening. [2]
What’s in the deal — and what’s not
- Duration: Funds most federal operations at current levels through January 30, 2026. [3]
- Full‑year bills included: Military Construction–VA, Agriculture–FDA, and Legislative Branch. [4]
- Workforce: Restores back pay and reverses thousands of shutdown‑related layoffs. [5]
- Nutrition: Extends SNAP funding into the fiscal year, reducing immediate uncertainty for 42 million recipients. [6]
- Healthcare: No extension of enhanced ACA subsidies; Senate leaders promised a separate December vote, but there is no House commitment. [7]
The vote math and timing
Republicans hold a narrow 219–213 House majority; leadership has called members back to Washington amid flight disruptions to stage a vote late Wednesday, with floor action tentatively targeted for the evening. The bill is expected to pass narrowly, aided by the president’s endorsement. [8]
Why Democrats are balking
House Democratic leaders are urging a “no” vote because the package omits a multi‑year extension of ACA subsidies. They argue that without action by year‑end, premiums will rise for millions and the shutdown leverage will have been squandered. Senate Democrats split earlier in the week, with eight members joining Republicans to clear the 60‑vote threshold, intensifying intra‑party tensions. [10]
“We’re not going to support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people.” — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, explaining the caucus position on the House vote. [11]
Controversial riders and quiet concessions
While billed as “clean,” the package contains points of friction. One provision would permit certain senators to sue the Justice Department over records issues tied to the January 6 probe — a clause criticized by Democrats and some Republicans as extraneous to reopening the government. Supporters emphasize the workforce and SNAP fixes and the promise of a separate Senate vote on health subsidies next month. [12]
What the shutdown wrought — and what the bill would fix
Federal workforce
Hundreds of thousands furloughed or unpaid; the package guarantees back pay and reverses layoffs. [13]
Food assistance
SNAP disruptions and litigation heightened pressure; the bill funds the program through September, stabilizing near‑term benefits. [14]
Air travel
Staffing strains fueled delays; Transportation officials say pay restoration will flow quickly once the bill is signed. [15]
Blame game
A fresh Reuters/Ipsos survey shows blame for the shutdown split across the parties, raising stakes for both sides tonight. [16]
How we got here — and who crossed the aisle
After repeated failed cloture attempts since September, the Senate approved the agreement 60–40 on November 10. Seven Democrats and one independent joined Republicans — a coalition that broke the stalemate but left House Democrats furious over the health‑care carve‑out. [17]
Side‑by‑side: demands vs. the deal
| Issue | Democratic position | Final package |
|---|---|---|
| ACA subsidies | Extend multi‑year enhanced credits before year‑end | No extension; Senate leaders pledge a December vote; no House commitment |
| Federal workforce | Immediate back pay, reverse layoffs | Back pay restored; layoffs reversed/restricted |
| SNAP | Stabilize funding to avoid lapses | Funded through the fiscal year in the package |
| Policy riders | “Clean” bill to reopen government | Includes litigation clause related to DOJ records disputes |
| Duration | Short CR with pathway to full appropriations | CR through Jan. 30 plus three full‑year bills (MilCon‑VA, Ag‑FDA, Leg. Branch) |
Sources: Senate Appropriations release; AP; Reuters; Washington Post. [18]
Key quotes shaping the day
“The continuing resolution would reopen government immediately … and provide back pay to all federal workers.” — Senate Appropriations Chair’s office summary of the package. [19]
President Trump “hopes to sign [the bill] Wednesday night.” — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. [20]
What to watch next
White House 🏛️
If the House passes the bill, a same‑day signing would end the shutdown and let the administration claim a swift reopening on its terms, while deferring the ACA fight to December. [21]
House GOP 🗳️
Victory contingent on keeping defections to a minimum. A narrow win cements Speaker Johnson’s leverage heading into December appropriations and the health‑care showdown. [22]
House Democrats ⚖️
Blocking the bill risks extending the shutdown; passing it without ACA language forfeits near‑term leverage. Internal divisions could sharpen if the Senate proceeds to a standalone subsidy vote. [23]
Policy impacts 📊
Airports, parks, USDA, and VA operations would restart quickly; SNAP funding steadies. Health‑care premium relief remains unresolved until at least next month’s Senate vote. [24]
Bottom line
Tonight’s House vote is more than procedural: it’s a test of party discipline, messaging, and negotiating power after a bruising seven‑week shutdown. Passage would reset the governing baseline through January 30 and shift the fight to December’s standalone health‑care vote — with real‑world consequences for federal workers, low‑income families, and ACA enrollees hanging in the balance. [25]
References
- White House press briefing: President intends to sign the House‑passed bill tonight (Nov. 12, 2025). [26]
- Senate passage 60–40; vote composition and bill contours (Nov. 10–11, 2025). [27]
- Senate Appropriations Committee majority release detailing contents of the package (Nov. 10, 2025). [28]
- AP: Senate approves bill to end shutdown; promise of December health‑care vote; workforce/back pay provisions (Nov. 10, 2025). [29]
- Reuters: House vote scheduling and narrow GOP majority; White House timing; competing partisan narratives (Nov. 12, 2025). [30]
- Washington Post: Who voted yes in the Senate and how the coalition formed (Nov. 11, 2025). [31]
- Al Jazeera: House Democrats’ objections and Jeffries’ statement on ACA subsidies (Nov. 12, 2025). [32]
- Yahoo Finance live updates: House return schedule and expected vote timing (Nov. 12, 2025). [33]
- Washington Post and Reuters: litigation clause tied to DOJ records and Jan. 6 disputes noted as a sticking point (Nov. 12, 2025). [34]
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