WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time since mid-September, the House will be back in session on Wednesday. Members will vote on the Senate’s bill to reopen the government. House Republicans believe they have enough support to pass this, which would reopen the government.
If the House passes the Senate’s legislation, it would end the record-long shutdown after eight Senate Democrats crossed party lines and joined Republicans on this new continuing resolution. The bill itself would fund the government through the end of January and includes three full-year appropriations bills. One of those bills would fund SNAP benefits through the end of September.
Democrats are criticizing those other Democrats for agreeing to this deal, which does not include the extension of enhanced subsidies with the Affordable Care Act. Those are set to expire at the end of the year. That means, millions of Americans could see their premiums increase next year.
Those Democrats who sided with Republicans claimed it was the only deal on the table and their best chance to reopen the government and begin negotiations to extend the ACA tax credits.
House Democratic leadership is already telling their members they will not support this measure because it doesn’t achieve their goals on the ACA.
New York Representative Nick Langworthy (R- NY) said members are eager for the shutdown to end.
“The reality is the American people have had enough, Congress has had enough,” said Rep. Langworthy. “It’s time for us to move on with the business of the American people and do what we were elected to do. It has been an embarrassing period for our country to have our government shutdown and not be responsive.”
We expect the House to vote on this measure Wednesday evening.
