On November 12, the longest U.S. government shutdown finally came to an end. Lasting for 43 days, the shutdown resulted from a Republican-backed funding bill that most Democrats in the Senate did not approve of, holding it in place for 41 days using the filibuster.
However, as tensions rose from possible SNAP cuts from the shutdown and unpaid air traffic controllers, six Democrats gave way, splintering from the party to approve it. With the Republicans, the six members brokered a deal that guaranteed a Senate vote in December on the healthcare subsidies as long as they passed a new funding bill, which lasts until January 30. However, the majority of Democrats opposed this deal, as it lacked the demands they had demanded for weeks: an extension of expiring subsidies in the Affordable Care Act, something the funding bill lacked.
As the bill passed through the Senate, the six Democrats immediately faced backlash. While the six, and two more Democrats who had voted yes, too, defended themselves by insisting that they got the best deal possible in a Congressional gridlock, other Senators shunned them. Vermont representative Bernie Sanders called the deal a “very, very bad vote,” reasoning that it raises healthcare premiums for over 20 million Americans by doubling, in some cases, tripling, or quadrupling. People can’t afford that when we are already paying the highest prices of the world for healthcare. Number two, it paves the way for 15 million people to be thrown off of Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.” Many Democrats remained untrusting of Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s pledge to hold the December vote on Democrat-drafted legislation, especially since House Speaker Mike Johnson has not made a guarantee to bring the bill to a vote. Additionally, even if brought to the floor, the bill could likely fail in the Republican-dominated Congress.
Despite differing opinions, the bill made its way to the House of Representatives. Two republicans voted no, while six Democrats voted yes, and the final vote was 222 to 209 in the House, where it passed despite a narrow Republican margin.
After passing Congress, the funding bill was sent to President Donald Trump. Trump signed the bill, marking the official end of the 43-day-long shutdown. Now, government employees will go back to work, funding will be provided for federal agencies, and programmes and departments will return pay to thousands of workers who haven’t received pay since October 1.
Written by Claire Liu
