Wisconsin lawmakers react to spending plan that reopens federal government after record shutdown

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The longest government shutdown in US history is now over after 43 days.

When it started October 1st, federal agencies had to shut down, stop paying workers, and it threw food benefits and air travel into chaos.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, there was applause in the Oval Office as top Congressional Republicans celebrated the end of the shutdown.

President Trump called it a "very big victory."

But it does not extend the health care tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year.

There was lengthy debate in the House - six Democrats voted for the plan; two Republicans voted against it.

Wisconsin Republican Congressman Bryan Steil said in a statement, “There was no reason our government should have shut down in the first place." He added, "Now, Congress must act to fix the broken process and pass the Eliminate Government Shutdowns Act. We need to end the brinksmanship in Washington and remove the potential for future government shutdowns permanently.”

Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore said, "While I appreciate and respect the eight Democratic Senators who negotiated this deal, I have little confidence in the promise of a future vote on a still unknown proposal to extend ACA premium subsidies." She said, "This bill falls short of these critical needs, which is why I could not support it.”

Air traffic controllers have already missed two paychecks. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says they'll get 70% of what they're owed within a couple days. The remaining 30% of pay will come in about a week.

But Duffy has warned flight cancellations and delays will continue for a time as the system returns to full strength. Because of positive staffing trends, the FAA said the mandated cuts at 40 airports will remain at 6% for the time being, rather than increasing.

As for the health care subsidies Democrats initially held out for, the Senate will hold a vote on extending those tax credits by mid-December.

In the House, two representatives from California have introduced a bipartisan bill that would extend the tax credits for two years. But House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to a vote in the House.

And here's what we know about food benefits: now that the spending package is signed into law, the USDA will send guidance to states within 24 hours to issue full benefits.

Wisconsin has already issued full benefits for November, but those benefits are being challenged in court. It's unclear how the court cases will be resolved.