The House of Representatives will attempt to end the longest government shutdown in US history on Wednesday, voting on a stopgap funding package to restart disrupted food aid, pay hundreds of thousands of federal workers, and restart the crippled air traffic control system.

Republicans currently hold a slim 219-213 majority in the House. However, President Donald Trump's support for the bill is expected to keep his party united in the face of stiff opposition from House Democrats, angered that a prolonged stalemate waged by their colleagues in the Senate failed to secure a deal to extend federal health insurance subsidies.

Eight Senate Democrats on Monday broke with party leadership to pass the funding package, which would extend funding through January 30, leaving the federal government on track to continue adding about $1.8 trillion annually to its $38 trillion debt

"My urgent plea to all my colleagues in the House—that means every Democrat in the House—is to think carefully, pray, and ultimately do the right thing," Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who recessed his chamber for nearly two months as a pressure tactic in shutdown negotiations, told reporters.

House Democrats remain fiercely opposed, angered by the Senate deal reached less than a week after Democrats won key elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City. The deal, which many believe strengthens their chances of winning an extension of health insurance subsidies. Although the deal sets up a December vote on the subsidies in the Senate, Johnson has not made a similar promise in the House.

"Donald Trump and the Republicans believe that America's affordability crisis is a fabrication. That's why these extremists are doing nothing to lower the high cost of living. You deserve better," House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a social media post on Wednesday.

If approved by the House, the funding package would have to be signed into law by Trump, who hailed Senate passage as a "huge victory" on Tuesday. (alg)

Source: Reuters