by Enoch Mwathwa
After weeks of gridlock, the U.S. government shutdown could finally be nearing its end. The House Rules Committee has approved the Senate’s funding bill, paving the way for a full House vote that could reopen federal agencies and bring relief to millions affected by the closure.
House Panel Clears Path for Final Vote
The House Rules Committee voted 8-4 along party lines to advance a rule governing debate on the Senate’s funding bill, according to CBS News. This procedural approval clears the way for a full House vote, possibly as early as Wednesday afternoon. The move follows the Senate’s earlier 60–40 vote to advance the bill, signaling growing bipartisan momentum to restore government operations.
The committee rejected several proposed Democratic amendments. Among them was an effort to extend expiring health insurance subsidies and another to limit law enforcement access to senators’ data. Lawmakers were warned that adopting new amendments could send the bill back to the Senate, causing more delays in reopening the government.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged lawmakers to return to Washington ahead of the vote, warning that FAA restrictions could cause travel disruptions. Both chambers were out for the Veterans Day holiday, making Wednesday the earliest possible date for a final decision. The breakthrough marks one of the few moments of cross-party cooperation in recent months, with negotiators from both sides working to craft a deal after 14 failed attempts.
If passed, the bill would fund most federal agencies through January 30. Once approved by the House, it will move to President Trump’s desk for his signature, officially ending the government shutdown that has disrupted essential services and slowed economic activity.
Markets React as Shutdown Resolution Nears
Financial markets have already begun to show signs of anticipation. Analysts suggest that an end to the shutdown could inject optimism and liquidity back into U.S. markets. Sistine Research analysts recently noted that XRP could benefit from renewed investor confidence, calling it the “fastest horse” in the current market cycle.
Historically, government reopenings have been followed by sharp rebounds in economic activity. After the 2019 shutdown, Bitcoin surged over 260% within five months as market sentiment improved. Currently, Bitcoin trades near $103,000, down about 14% since early October, when the latest shutdown began.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Banking has introduced the draft Crypto Asset Market Clarity Act, aiming to expand the CFTC’s authority over digital assets. The move could signal a renewed focus on financial stability and innovation as Washington prepares to reopen for business.
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