After nearly eight weeks of political deadlock, the US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill to end the government shutdown, one of the longest in American history. The measure now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The 43-day shutdown had left thousands of federal workers without pay, caused long queues at airports, and forced many families to rely on food banks. Lawmakers returned to Washington this week after almost two months away, where Republicans used their narrow majority to pass the bill with a 222-209 vote. The Senate had already approved the measure earlier.

Democrats had insisted that the new funding bill should include an extension of an enhanced tax credit, a program that helps reduce the cost of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The credit was set to expire at the end of the year.

They refused to support a short-term spending plan that excluded this benefit. Republicans, however, argued that the tax credit debate was a “separate policy fight” that should be discussed later.

Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the shutdown proved once again that such tactics don’t work.

“We told you 43 days ago, from bitter experience, that government shutdowns don't work. They never achieve the objective that you announce. And guess what? You haven't achieved that objective yet, and you're not going to,” Cole said.

The funding crisis exposed sharp divisions between Republicans and Democrats, which were on full display as the House debated the bill.

Republicans accused Democrats of using the shutdown to gain leverage in their policy demands.

“They knew it would cause pain, and they did it anyway,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Democrats, on the other hand, blamed Republicans for prioritizing tax cuts for the rich earlier in the year while leaving middle-class families without help.

“The bill before the House on Wednesday leaves families twisting in the wind with zero guarantee there will ever, ever be a vote to extend tax credits to help everyday people pay for their health care,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

Despite the setback, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said his party would continue fighting for the health care subsidy.

“This fight is not over,” Jeffries said. “We're just getting started.”