The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday to end the nation’s longest government shutdown, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature after a historic 43-day funding lapse.The lapse had left federal workers without multiple paychecks, travelers stranded at airports, and people queuing at food banks to get a meal for their families.Lawmakers returned to the nation’s capital this week after nearly eight weeks away, with Republicans using their slight majority to carry the bill by a vote of 222-209. The Senate had already passed the measure, AP reported.Thunderous applause could be heard in the House of Representatives as the bill to end the shutdown passed.At the end, six Democrats crossed the aisle to back the Republican-led measure. Only two Republicans voted against it, Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Greg Steube of Florida.
Who are the six Democrats that joined Republicans?
The six members are:Jared GoldenJared Golden represents the Second District of Maine in the United States Congress, where he serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee.Adam GrayRepresentative Adam Gray is currently serving in the 119th Congress as the Representative of the 13th District of California.Marie Gluesenkamp PerezPerez is a fifth-generation Washingtonian, who serves as Southwest Washington’s independent voice in Congress.Don DavisCongressman Davis is serving his second term in the US House of Representatives, representing 22 counties comprising the First Congressional District of North Carolina in eastern North Carolina.Henry CuellarCuellar is serving as the US representative for Texas’s 28th congressional district since 2005.Tom SuozziSuozzi represents the Third Congressional District in New York. He is currently a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, as well as their Subcommittee on Oversight and Subcommittee on Tax. He also serves as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.
What’s next?
The White House said Wednesday night that President Donald Trump will sign the government funding bill on camera from the Oval Office at 9:45 pm ET Wednesday (8:15 am Thursday) to reopen the federal government.The signing has been formally added to the President’s daily schedule, assuming it passes the House as expected.Trump had initially planned a private dinner at 7:30 pm ET with coverage by some White House press, but that event was closed to media. Instead, cameras will be allowed into the Oval Office for the on-camera signing, according to the White House.The change in schedule follows a White House press briefing earlier in the day, during which press secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted that reporters might see the President later in the evening when he signs the bill.The signing would mark the official end of the longest government shutdown in US history.
