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- By Levi Rickert
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday evening to end the longest federal government shutdown— 43 days— in history.
Lawmakers approved a spending bill 222-209, with six Democrats joining Republicans to support the measure. The six Democrats who voted to reopen the government were Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (North Carolina), Jared Golden (Maine), Adam Gray (California), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington, and Tom Suozzi (New York).
The bill now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. Trump said he plans to sign it Wednesday night at 9:45 p.m. - EST, according to the White House. With his signature, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history will officially come to an end.
On Wednesday evening, the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC), the nation’s leading advocacy organization for Tribal housing, said in a news release the organization welcomed the end of the federal government shutdown and the restoration of vital operations to Tribal housing programs across Indian Country.
“The reopening of the federal government restores access to critical housing resources for Tribal Nations and communities,” said Rudy Soto, NAIHC Executive Director. “While we recognize the difficult negotiations that accompany any budget process, the interruption of essential housing programs directly affects the well-being and stability of Native and Tribal families and communities.”
“Each day that funding and program support were delayed meant Tribal governments were forced to make difficult decisions affecting housing development, maintenance, and safety,” Soto continued. “Moving forward, we urge policymakers to move past partisan gridlock in Washington to prevent future shutdowns that put the federal government’s obligations at risk.”
“As operations resume, we look forward to working with HUD and other federal agencies to strengthen housing development opportunities and uphold the federal government’s responsibilities to Tribal Nations,” Soto concluded.
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