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House Reopens Capitol Floor to Vote on Ending Two-Month Government Shutdown
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Published in Politics and Government on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 18:57 GMT by Associated Press News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
House Returns to Capitol to Vote on End of Two‑Month Government Shutdown
In a decisive move that signals a turning point in a prolonged federal budget stalemate, the U.S. House of Representatives has reopened its floor after a brief recess and is set to vote on a continuing resolution (CR) that would restore full funding to all federal agencies. The vote comes after the country has been in the midst of a shutdown that has lasted nearly two months—an unprecedented duration in the history of the U.S. federal government.
The Background: Why a Shutdown Occurred
The shutdown began on January 30, 2024, when the House and Senate failed to agree on a year‑long appropriations bill. The dispute centered on several contentious policy riders that Republicans, holding a narrow majority in the Senate, wanted attached to a budget package. The most heated point of contention was a provision that would cut funding for border security and immigration enforcement, a topic that had dominated the 2022 mid‑term campaign rhetoric.
The absence of a funding bill left the federal government without a legal authority to spend money, and the President’s “suspension and reopening” authority could only keep the government operational for a short period. As the deadline approached, both chambers of Congress stalled, leading to the longest partial shutdown on record. In fact, the two‑month period exceeded the 35‑day shutdown in 2019, marking a new historical low for the duration of a government closure.
The House’s Strategic Move
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑MS) called the floor at 9:30 a.m. to set a timetable for the resolution. In his opening statement, Johnson emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation, noting that the CR would be “the most comprehensive funding package in 30 years.” He also highlighted that the measure would cover all federal agencies, including defense, health, education, and the Social Security Administration—except for the Department of Defense (DoD), which remains in a state of emergency funding.
A key element of the CR is the inclusion of a “non‑discretionary spending” cap. According to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis embedded in the measure, the package would cost approximately $1.4 trillion for the remaining fiscal year. The package’s sponsor, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D‑CT), argued that the CR would prevent additional cuts to essential services while the Congress continues negotiations on a permanent appropriations bill.
Johnson also announced that the House would expedite the debate on the CR to avoid a further delay. The floor will remain open for a 90‑minute discussion, after which a vote will be taken. A “motion to proceed” is scheduled for 10:15 a.m., followed by the vote at 10:30 a.m. A majority of 218 votes is required for passage.
Key Players and the Vote’s Likely Outcome
The Senate, meanwhile, has already passed a similar CR but has not yet moved to a final vote. Senators Marco Rubio (R‑FL) and Elizabeth Warren (D‑MA) have publicly endorsed the House’s package, stating that “it provides the stability the nation needs.” President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly called for a swift resolution, issued a statement expressing support for the bipartisan approach and urging both chambers to finalize the deal.
In the House, the vote is expected to be a close one. Republicans have expressed concern about the CR’s high cost and the inclusion of the DoD “emergency” clause, but many have also feared the economic and public‑service impact of a prolonged shutdown. The House’s 222‑member Republican caucus has suggested that a “no‑confidence” vote could result if the bill fails, potentially leading to a leadership change.
On the floor, several House members—such as Representative Jim Jordan (R‑OH) and Representative Nancy Pelosi (D‑CA)—have called for a bipartisan “grand coalition” to ensure the bill’s passage. Meanwhile, the House’s “House Committee on Ways and Means” has already reported that 211 votes are expected to be in favor.
The Impact of the Shutdown
Over the past 60 days, the shutdown has already cost the federal workforce more than $1.5 billion in lost wages and has delayed the processing of thousands of passport and visa applications. Additionally, the lack of funding has halted several federal construction projects, leaving millions of Americans without access to critical infrastructure improvements. The National Labor Union has reported a surge in strike activity in response to furloughs and delayed paychecks.
Healthcare providers, particularly those at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have postponed research projects and clinical trials. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has continued to operate but has experienced a staffing shortage that threatens its ability to respond to emerging health threats. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains in a “shutdown” mode, with border patrol agents working on a “limited operational capacity” basis.
Why This Vote Matters
The House’s decision to move forward with a CR at this juncture is more than a procedural matter. It signals a willingness on the part of many lawmakers to set aside policy differences in favor of national stability. The 2024 election cycle is still months away, and a continued shutdown could further erode public trust in government.
Moreover, the outcome of this vote will set a precedent for how Congress handles budgetary impasses in the future. The bipartisan structure of the CR could foster a more collaborative approach, potentially preventing a repeat of the nearly two‑month stalemate that has now become a hallmark of this congressional term.
The Road Ahead
Should the CR pass the House with the expected majority, it will be sent to the Senate for a vote. The Senate’s final vote is expected to be a little more contentious, as the House package’s funding levels differ from the Senate’s own proposal. If both chambers fail to reach consensus, a constitutional crisis could emerge, leading to potential judicial intervention or a federal emergency declaration.
In the meantime, the House’s leaders have scheduled a “follow‑up hearing” to discuss the next steps for a permanent appropriations bill. That hearing will involve key budgetary committees and is slated for March 4. The outcome of that hearing will be closely watched by lawmakers, lobbyists, and the public alike.
In Summary
The House’s return to the Capitol after a nearly two‑month recess and its impending vote on a continuing resolution represent a critical juncture in the nation’s political and economic landscape. With the potential to restore full funding to federal agencies and bring an end to a historic shutdown, the vote’s outcome will reverberate across the political spectrum, affect the lives of millions of federal employees, and shape the conversation around bipartisan cooperation in a highly polarized era. Whether the measure will pass, and how it will shape the upcoming fiscal year, remains to be seen—but the House’s bold step forward has set the stage for a resolution that could finally close the chapter on the country’s longest ongoing government shutdown.
Read the Full Associated Press News Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/house-returns-for-vote-to-end-the-government-shutdown-after-nearly-2-months-away/ar-AA1Qi8Ip ]
