The House has cleared the first major hurdle toward ending the 43-day government shutdown, advancing the Senate-backed funding deal in a narrow 213-209 procedural vote. Every Democrat voted no on the rule, while 213 Republicans held the line to set up floor debate.
The Senate passed the bipartisan package Monday night by 60-40, with eight Democrats joining Republicans. The deal includes full-year appropriations for Agriculture, Veterans Affairs and the legislative branch, a one-year Farm Bill extension, full funding for the SNAP food program, and funding for the rest of government through Jan. 30. Progressives oppose it because it does not extend expiring health-care subsidies.
House leaders say the final passage vote is expected between 7:45 and 8:15 p.m., though that could shift if debate runs long. If it passes, the government could officially reopen within hours of the president's signature.
The pressure to act is mounting: the FAA reported nine air traffic control staffing shortages today - nearly double Tuesday's number - and airlines face forced 10 per cent flight cuts at 40 major airports starting Friday if the shutdown continues. Controllers, classified as essential, have been working unpaid for more than six weeks.
