The House of Representatives returned a 216-206 vote on Wednesday night to approve a long-awaited stopgap funding bill to reopen the federal government. The votes fell largely along party lines, with six Democrats breaking ranks to vote for the measure, while two Republicans bucked their party leadership to vote against it.

The bill now moves to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature. The president has previously indicated his intention to sign the measure. If signed, the bill would formally end the longest federal shutdown in the nation’s history. As of Wednesday, the federal government had been without funding for 43 days.

What happens now? The bill funds the federal government until Jan. 30. The bill also funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, through September 2026. Trump officials also agreed to reinstate federal workers furloughed during the shutdown and provide their back pay. Those workers would be safe from termination through Jan. 30.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday warned that air travelers should still expect flight delays and cancellations even after the government reopens. About 2,000 air traffic controllers opted to retire during the shutdown, so the DOT will need to make up that difference even after funding is restored, Duffy explained.

The secretary noted that air traffic controllers will receive 70% of their pay within two days of the date the government reopens, and the remaining 30% after about a week of the reopening date.

This story originally appeared in WORLD. © 2025, reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.