After 43 days, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have passed a budget to fund the U.S. government.
With a vote of 222 to 209, members of the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate‘s bill to fund the Departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and military construction projects for fiscal year 2026, also extending funding for other agencies through January 30th of 2026.
The bill also provides back pay and protections for federal employees, including reinstating those laid off during the shutdown, and ensures continued funding for programs such as food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), through September 2026.
Additional provisions include increased security funding for officials and members of Congress.
The Senate previously passed its version of the funding legislation with 60 votes in favor and 40 votes against.
60 votes were the minimum number required to pass a budget bill in the upper chamber.
Eight Democrats sided with Republicans in the Senate, as despite holding a majority in both chambers of Congress Republicans only have 53 seats in the Senate, which was short of the 60 votes needed to pass a funding bill.
Both Senate Republicans and several Democrats were growing uneasy about the shutdown’s escalating consequences. They were eager to get the government running again before the situation worsens.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and fellow Democrats speak on the health care funding fight on the steps of the House before votes to end the government shutdown, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington
President Donald Trump leaves the stage a the conclusion of a campaign rally at the Forum River Center March 9th, 2024 in Rome, Georgia
In this image provided by House Television, the vote total showing passage of the bill in the House to end the government shutdown is displayed Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington.
Concerns ranged from delayed flights and unpaid federal workers to economic strain and suspension of food assistance for vulnerable families.
Republicans had supported a short-term measure to fund the government at generally current levels, previously approved under the Biden administration, through November 21. However, Democrats had blocked it, insisting that the measure did not address their concerns regarding healthcare.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune had previously given Senate Democrats 14 chances to vote to reopen the government.
Public frustration with the prolonged shutdown intensified, increasing pressure on both parties to reach an agreement.
Air traffic had been hit hard, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning on CNN that staffing shortages are worsening, potentially reducing air travel to a trickle.
