WASHINGTON, Nov 11 – Lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington on Tuesday, navigating the chaos of the nation’s disrupted airports to cast a critical vote that could finally bring an end to the longest government shutdown in American history. The shutdown, which began on October 1, has left federal agencies paralyzed, paychecks halted, and millions of Americans uncertain about the future of essential services.
With air travel thrown into disarray and thousands of flights canceled due to the ongoing crisis, many members of Congress resorted to alternative travel arrangements. Among them was Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, who decided to make the 16-hour drive back to the capital instead of flying. “It’ll be a cold trip, but I’m committed to doing my job. I’m heading back to Washington to help put our country on the right path,” Van Orden said in a video shared on social media. His remarks echoed the urgency felt by many legislators eager to end the standoff and restore government operations.
The House, controlled by Republicans, is scheduled to vote Wednesday afternoon on a compromise package aimed at reopening federal agencies and ending the shutdown. The Senate, also under Republican leadership, approved the deal Monday night. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism that the bill would pass his chamber as well. The proposal has already received backing from President Donald Trump, who described it as a “very good” deal and is expected to sign it into law once it reaches his desk. If approved, government services could begin resuming within days, though experts caution it might take longer for systems like air travel to fully stabilize after weeks of disruption.
The agreement has also reignited debate among Democrats, exposing internal divisions within the party. The most contentious issue involves the extension of healthcare subsidies covering roughly 24 million Americans, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Many Democrats had pushed to include an extension in the funding package itself, arguing that it was necessary to protect vulnerable families. However, Senate Republicans only agreed to hold a separate vote on the issue in December, offering no guarantee that the measure will pass. Speaker Johnson has yet to confirm whether the House will even consider it. This uncertainty has sparked frustration among liberal lawmakers and grassroots supporters who believe Democratic negotiators conceded too easily during talks with Senate Republicans.
The Democratic Party’s progressive wing has been especially vocal, accusing its leadership of giving in when they had leverage to secure a more comprehensive deal. They argue that the final agreement favors Republican interests by reopening the government without ensuring continued healthcare support. Despite these criticisms, most Democrats have indicated they will still support the funding bill to prevent further harm to federal workers and citizens relying on government programs.
Public opinion has reflected growing impatience with both sides. A late October national poll found that about half of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 43% pointed to Democrats. The prolonged standoff has tested the patience of federal employees who have gone without pay and disrupted numerous public services, from food assistance programs to transportation safety operations. Throughout the shutdown, Speaker Johnson kept the House out of session, a move intended to pressure Senate Democrats to accept Republican terms for reopening the government. Critics say the strategy backfired, prolonging the hardship for ordinary Americans and federal workers alike.
The compromise bill expected to pass this week would fund the government through January 30, allowing agencies to resume normal operations while setting up another potential fiscal showdown early next year. It does not include new measures to control spending or limit executive authority, leaving unresolved questions about future budget stability. The United States’ national debt continues to climb, now approaching $38 trillion. Although Trump has taken steps to cut spending by canceling projects and reducing the size of the federal workforce, the new agreement contains no specific limits to prevent further unilateral spending reductions.
One notable component of the deal, however, temporarily halts Trump’s ongoing effort to downsize the federal workforce. It bars large-scale employee dismissals until January 30, giving workers temporary job security after weeks of uncertainty. The measure also protects the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, which provides food aid to low-income families. Under the agreement, SNAP funding will continue uninterrupted through September 30, 2026, ensuring that millions of Americans will not face disruptions in benefits caused by future shutdowns.
If the House passes the bill and Trump signs it as expected, the 42-day shutdown would officially end, restoring the federal government’s ability to function. Federal employees would receive their delayed paychecks, and crucial public programs could return to operation. However, political observers warn that the compromise only offers temporary stability. Congress will soon have to revisit the same budget disagreements that triggered this crisis, including debates over healthcare, federal spending levels, and debt management.