The House is expected to vote today on ending a record-long government shutdown, with significant implications for air travel and federal operations. The Senate-backed bill to reopen the federal government has been a contentious issue, with House Speaker Mike Johnson facing a challenging task in securing support from his slim Republican majority. The shutdown has caused widespread disruption, including nearly 900 flight cancellations and delays, impacting over 5 million passengers and countless cargo shipments. The situation has led to a crisis within aviation, with air traffic controllers working without pay and a record number of them taking unscheduled time off, causing hours-long delays. The House is set to vote on the bill at 5 p.m. ET, with a potential for last-minute changes in timing. The vote's outcome will determine the fate of federal operations and the livelihoods of essential FAA employees. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democrats have vowed to continue fighting rising healthcare costs and seek amendments to the bill, while Rep. Jim McGovern criticized the GOP for leaving town during the shutdown. The bill's passage is expected around 7:30 p.m. ET, but the final outcome remains uncertain.
