House passes spending bill, US government set to reopen

According to Xinhua News Agency, the US House of Representatives on the evening of November 12 passed a spending bill approved by the Senate, ending the stalemate in Congress that led to the longest government shutdown in US history.

The House of Representatives voted 222-209 to pass the deal, two days after the US Senate voted 60-40 to approve the spending bill. The bill has been sent to US President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it soon.

The US House of Representatives has passed a spending bill previously approved by the Senate. Photo: Xinhua.

The package funds most federal agencies at current levels through January 30, and provides full funding for the fiscal year for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects, as well as congressional operations and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is under threat amid the prolonged government shutdown.

The bill would undo the layoffs made by federal agencies since the government shut down on October 1 and prohibit any further layoffs before the bill expires on January 30.

It is understood that the package only includes three of the 12 annual budget appropriations bills that the National Assembly must pass each year, leaving nine remaining bills to be finalised.

While the temporary funding bill is in effect, the two sides will continue to negotiate the remaining appropriations, meaning the US government could face the risk of shutting down again in just over two months.

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