Government Shutdown Vote: House Eyes Wednesday Passage as SCOTUS Extends SNAP Pause to Thursday

A Fault Line Investigation — Published by The Beacon Press
Published: November 12, 2025
https://thebeaconpress.org/government-shutdown-vote-house-eyes-wednesday-passage-as-scotus-extends-snap

Executive Breath

The U.S. government shutdown – the longest in history at 40 days – remains active as of November 12, 2025, with the Senate's compromise bill (60-40 vote, November 10) awaiting House passage expected as early as 4 p.m. ET Wednesday. The funding package, which funds agencies through January 30, 2026, restores full SNAP benefits for November, reverses 4,000+ RIF notices, and guarantees backpay for 750,000 furloughed workers, but defers ACA subsidy extensions to December. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court extended its pause on a Rhode Island judge's order for full SNAP funding until 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday, November 13, giving Congress time to act without immediate disruption.

The truth under scrutiny: With 42 million SNAP recipients (12.3% of U.S. population) in limbo and 650,000 workers unpaid, the Congressional delay to date prolongs the Public fracture, with 75% viewing the shutdown as a “breach of trust” (Quinnipiac, November 2025). Congress remains bound to procedure.

The House Vote Timeline: What's at Stake

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to reconvene the chamber at 12 p.m. ET Wednesday, with the Rules Committee advancing the bill 8-4 (party line) early morning, setting up floor debate and votes by 4 p.m. (Politico, November 12, 2025). Passage requires a simple majority (GOP control: 220-215), but 10–15 Republicans hold out for “no ACA rider” (Axios, November 12, 2025). If passed identically, Trump signs Thursday, ending the lapse. Key stakes:
– SNAP: Pause expires Thursday midnight; full $8B November benefits issued Friday if signed (USDA, November 11, 2025).
– Workers: Backpay retroactive to October 1; RIFs reversed (OMB memo, November 10, 2025).
– Travel: 8% flight cancellations continue (Cirium, November 12, 2025); TSA delays end with funding.
– Risk: House delay extends partial shutdown (e.g., 2,300+ cancellations last week, FAA 2025).

Johnson notified members Tuesday night to return by Wednesday noon, with “multiple series of votes” possible (USA Today, November 11, 2025). Trump signaled support: “I’ll abide by the deal. The deal is very good” (USA Today, November 11, 2025).

SCOTUS SNAP Pause: The Thursday Deadline

The Supreme Court, in an unsigned order (Justice Jackson dissenting), extended the pause on Rhode Island Judge Mary McElroy's November 1 ruling for full SNAP funding until Thursday midnight, allowing the Constitutional political process to unfold (Reuters, November 12, 2025). This follows a November 7 emergency stay (Jackson) on Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani's order for partial minimum payments. The pause covers the $4.65 billion Section 16(a) contingency fund, preventing states from issuing full benefits without USDA approval. Implications:
– 42 million recipients (12.3% population) wait for full November aid (USDA FY2024).
– 16 million children among 42 million at risk of half-payments if no vote (Food Research & Action Center, 2025).
– States like Wisconsin and Kansas “overpaid” $32 million+ early; USDA's November 9 “undo” memo threatens clawbacks (CBS News, November 12, 2025).

The extension “gives Congress breathing room” (NPR, November 12, 2025), but critics call it “prolonging pain” (Sen. Elizabeth Warren, November 11, 2025).

Exact Context (SCOTUS Order, November 12, 2025)

“The application for stay is granted to allow the political branches to complete the appropriations process under Article I of the Constitution before judicial intervention mandates expenditure of funds.”
— Unsigned order, USDA v. Rhode Island, Docket 25A___ (Nov 12, 2025)

Constitutional Ring

Action Demand (Pillar 7)

Demand House vote by Wednesday: Contact your representative – “Pass the CR today. End the SNAP pause.”
→ Find Your Rep
→ Reference: Senate Vote 60-40, November 10, 2025

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