The bill received support from 222 members of the House, which is enough to achieve the simple majority needed for its passage. The budget had previously been approved by the Senate.
In the current composition of the House, Republicans hold 219 seats, while Democrats have 214 (a total of 433, with two seats remaining vacant). Thus, a simple majority required 217 votes.
However, during the voting, four congressmen were absent: three Republicans and one Democrat, which reduced the required number of votes to 215. This number was surpassed, as 216 Republicans and six Democrats supported the bill, while two Republicans voted against it, along with 207 Democrats.
After the voting is completed, the budget must be signed by President Donald Trump, who has already expressed his readiness to do so soon.
Thus, government operations will resume, and the longest shutdown in U.S. history will come to an end.The previous record was also set during President Trump's first term.
The budget bill passed on Wednesday will ensure the functioning of the federal government for another two months, until January 30, 2026, guaranteeing funding for all federal ministries and agencies. This decision also means that layoffs and cuts caused by the shutdown will cease.
Workers who were furloughed or worked without pay due to the shutdown, such as air traffic controllers, have previously received back pay for this period.
Photo on the main page: Reuters.
