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What happened
On November 12, 2025, the House of Representatives voted 222-209 to pass a spending package aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which lasted 43 days. This decision came after eight Democratic senators broke party lines to support the bill, leading to backlash among their colleagues. The legislation includes funding for federal agencies through January and provisions for retroactive pay for furloughed workers. The shutdown had caused significant disruptions, affecting hundreds of thousands of federal employees and millions of Americans reliant on food assistance. Despite the bipartisan support, the bill faced criticism from some Democrats who felt it did not adequately address health care subsidies. President Trump is set to sign the bill, marking a significant moment in the ongoing political struggle over government funding and health care policy.
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Key insights
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Bipartisan Support: Six Democrats voted with Republicans to pass the bill.
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Impact on Federal Workers: The shutdown affected hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
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Health Care Subsidies Debate: Democrats are pushing for an extension of health care subsidies.
Takeaways
The passage of the spending package signifies a temporary resolution to the government shutdown, but underlying issues regarding health care funding remain contentious. The political landscape may shift as both parties prepare for upcoming elections.