WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Wednesday approved the Senate’s amendment to H.R. 5371, sending the measure to President Trump and formally ending the nation’s longest government shutdown after 43 days.
The bill passed 222-209, with four members not voting. Nearly all Republicans supported the package, while most Democrats opposed it, citing the absence of provisions to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies.
The legislation provides temporary funding for most federal agencies through Jan. 30, 2026, while enacting full-year appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Agriculture and for military-construction projects.
President Trump is expected to sign the measure into law Wednesday night, which would allow federal agencies to begin reopening within hours. Under federal law, employees would receive full back pay and restored benefits once the bill is enacted.
Tennessee’s eight active House members split along party lines. All seven Republicans—Diana Harshbarger, Tim Burchett, Chuck Fleischmann, Scott DesJarlais, Andy Ogles, John Rose, and David Kustoff—voted in favor. Democrat Steve Cohen of Memphis opposed the measure. The 7th District seat remains vacant.
The Senate had cleared the bill earlier in the day after final negotiations resolved disputes over funding priorities and a controversial phone-records provision covering members of Congress.
The continuing resolution keeps the government funded for roughly ten weeks, setting up another deadline at the end of January when lawmakers must either pass long-term appropriations or approve a further extension.
Once the bill is signed, the Office of Management and Budget will issue guidance for agencies to reopen, with most federal employees expected to return to work the following business day.
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