UPDATE 2 - US House passes funding measure to end longest-ever government shutdown

ADDS REMARKS BY HOUSE SPEAKER

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday to end the longest-ever government shutdown, which is now in its 43rd day.

Lawmakers voted 222-209 on the Senate amendment to H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026.

Two Republicans -- Greg Steube and Thomas Massie -- opposed the measure, while six Democrats -- Jared Golden, Adam Gray, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Don Davis, Henry Cuellar and Tom Suozzi -- voted in favor.

The legislation will head to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

Trump will sign the bill Wednesday night to end the shutdown.

On Monday, the Senate voted 60-40 to advance a House-passed government funding bill that will be amended to extend federal funding through Jan. 30 and incorporate three full-year appropriations measures.

The shutdown began Oct. 1 after a breakdown in negotiations on federal spending priorities. Thousands of federal workers have since been furloughed, working without pay, while government services have been curtailed or suspended.

After the vote to reopen the government, House Speaker Mike Johnson blamed Democrats for the shutdown.

Johnson noted that the weeks-long shutdown caused widespread disruption for federal workers and services, adding: "I'm really sad that it took us so long to get here. There was so much pain that had to be endured to get to this point."

"Now we’ve got the lights back on, we’ve got the government reopened, the president will sign that triumphantly tonight," he said.