Narrow Passage to End U.S. Government Shutdown

In a critical move, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a procedural hurdle on Tuesday for legislation aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown. This sets the stage for a decisive vote on final passage within the day.

The proposed legislation would ensure funding for vital sectors, including defense, healthcare, labor, education, and housing, extending temporary support to the Department of Homeland Security. The bill, endorsed by President Donald Trump, previously passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support, yet faced tighter margins within the Republican-majority House, clearing the procedural hurdle by a slim 217-215 vote.

Republican leaders faced challenges rounding up necessary votes as all 214 Democrats opposed the bill, demanding new curbs on aggressive immigration enforcement following recent incidents. An expedited resolution to the shutdown, which started on Saturday, would prevent significant disruptions to government services and avert economic losses, given the previous 43-day shutdown cost the U.S. an estimated $11 billion.