Speaker Johnson on Senate Breakthrough Ending Government Shutdown

End of the Government Shutdown

• 📣 Speaker Johnson announced what appears to be the beginning of the end of the longest government shutdown in US history, after 40 days.
• 🤝 He expressed gratitude that some Senate Democrats have finally stepped forward to end the suffering of the American people.
• 🎯 The government cannot be held hostage to anyone's political agenda, as shutting down the government historically produces nothing.

Healthcare and Affordability

• 💡 Republicans have consistently been open to finding solutions to reduce the oppressive costs of healthcare under the Affordable Care Act.
• 🚫 They have maintained that they would not negotiate while being held hostage.
• 📜 Republicans have been passing new laws to address costs, fraud, and abuse in healthcare.

Senate Breakthrough Details

• 🗳️ A Senate vote of 60 to 40 opens the door for moving forward on an amended House Continuing Resolution (CR).
• 🗓️ This CR will reopen the government until January 30th.
• 🍲 It includes fully funding SNAP provisions through the end of the next fiscal year (September 2026).
• 💸 Guaranteed back pay for all federal workers is included.
• 🏛️ Three appropriations bills are moving through the process: Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch.

Path Forward for the House

• 📞 Upon the Senate's final vote, House members will be called back to Washington with a 36-hour notice to vote on the amended CR.
• ✈️ The speaker addressed travel challenges, noting that air traffic controllers are overworked and unpaid, leading to significant flight cancellations and delays.
• 🗓️ Congress looks forward to reopening the government this week and returning to regular legislative sessions, anticipating long days to make up for lost time.

Plea for Bipartisan Action

• 🙏 Speaker Johnson applauded the seven Senate Democrats and one independent senator who put principle over politics.
• 🗣️ He urged all House colleagues, including Democrats, to think carefully, pray, and do the right thing to end the pain of the American people, which has gone on for too long.