The interim spending package will fund most of the government through January 30, 2026.
The federal government’s 43-day shutdown ended Wednesday night when President Donald Trump signed a spending measure to fund the government through the end of January.
His signature came hours after the measure passed the House of Representatives on a 222-209 vote, primarily across party lines. The Senate approved the spending package on Monday after a group of moderate Democrats broke party ranks and agreed to compromise legislation without a guarantee to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.
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In addition to the short-term funding measure, the agreement fully funds agricultural programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), military construction, and veterans’ affairs until the end of September 2026 and reimburses states for the money they spent to keep SNAP and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program running during the shutdown. It also reverses layoffs of federal workers made during the shutdown, provides backpay for furloughed workers, and will allow a Senate vote in December to extend the expiring ACA tax credits.
The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, led to disruptions of food aid for millions of Americans and amplified rising health care costs, particularly in the ACA marketplace where premiums are expected to increase 26 percent on average. Consumers who relied on the enhanced tax credits to help pay for their coverage could see their monthly costs more than double.
Many Democrats opposed the funding plan without a promise to extend the enhanced tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of December. Although Senator Majority Leader John Thune has agreed to bring a vote to the Senate floor by mid-December, House Speaker Mike Johnson has not made the same commitment. However, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark has told members in a closed door session that leaders will pursue a discharge petition to force a vote on the matter, Politico reports.
Some Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said they are open to an extension but with changes, such as income caps for eligible consumers, the AP reported. Republican Senators also want to look at the broader issue of rising health care costs. The Senate Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing for next Wednesday to discuss potential solutions to lower costs.
Meanwhile, it’s unclear when SNAP recipients will see funding for their November benefits. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture told the AP that funding for the country’s largest food aid program should be available within 24 hours for most states, but it may take longer for other states.