The Republican-led continuing resolution will fund the government through January 30th. 

On Wednesday night, the House of Representatives voted to end the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. President Donald Trump signed the bill late Wednesday to reopen the government after weeks of pain that included thousands of cancelled flights, delayed paychecks for troops and federal employees, and a halt in SNAP benefits to Americans experiencing food insecurity. 

Pennsylvania’s U.S. House members voted along party lines to reopen the government, with Republicans supporting the bill. 

Democrats refused to support the bill because it did not extend temporary COVID-era health care subsidies enacted under President Biden. 

The bill passed with a 222-209 vote, with six Democrats and two Republicans crossing party lines. None of Pennsylvania’s representatives voted with the opposite party on Wednesday. 

Democrats, including Pennsylvania’s Members in the House, attempted to use the government shutdown as leverage to force a vote that would extend the health care subsidies in question. Senate Republicans have promised negotiations, including a future vote, on the subsidies with the government open and fully functioning. 

On the Senate side, U.S. Senator John Fetterman voted with Senate Republicans to end the lapse in appropriations. He voted several times with Republicans to keep the government open and was one of the critical votes supporting the final deal to fund the government.

Senator McCormick, who voted to end the shutdown, acknowledged the health care fight that is coming in Washington. Health care costs are increasing for Americans, and the government will have to address the issue soon. 

“What we’re trying to offer on the Republican side is a true, good-faith effort, that we’re willing to talk about that and hopefully find some sort of resolution. But we can’t do that with a gun to our head,” said Senator McCormick during a telephone town hall during the shutdown. 

U.S. Representative Mike Kelly, a Republican, said Democrats who voted to open the government “put country over politics.”

“This shutdown could have been avoided from the start. Congress has a responsibility to keep the government funded and open, and the legislation I voted for both in September, and this week do just that,” said Representative Kelly.