House Votes to Reopen Government as Congress Suddenly Ramps Up Crypto Work
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a funding bill late Wednesday to end the record-breaking 42-day government shutdown. The continuing resolution, lasting through January 2026, now awaits President Donald Trump's signature. The Senate had earlier approved the measure, which required concessions from Senate Democrats. The shutdown had stalled progress on legislation related to cryptocurrency, but the restart will allow federal regulators such as the SEC and CFTC to resume their work. Additionally, efforts to finalize rules and analyze public feedback, like the GENIUS Act and crypto-related market structures, will continue with renewed focus.
Government Reopens After Record-Breaking Shutdown
A majority of the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a funding bill late Wednesday to reopen the government after a record-breaking 42-day shutdown. The continuing resolution was sent to President Donald Trump for his signature. The shutdown had left the government stalled for weeks, marking one of the longest shutdowns in U.S. history.
Senate's Role in Ending the Shutdown
The resolution followed an agreement on Sunday, when a group of Senate Democrats and the majority of Senate Republicans voted for a 3-month funding measure. This decision came at the expense of giving up their key demands to end the shutdown while forcing a failed vote on Affordable Care Act subsidies. The move was seen as a compromise to break the stalemate that had halted much of the government’s operations.
Impact of the Shutdown on Crypto Legislation
The prolonged shutdown affected the U.S. government's progress on crypto legislation. However, legislators have signaled their commitment to continue working on such laws. The final vote was 222-209, including 216 Republicans and six Democrats supporting the resolution. This funding measure is set to last through the end of January 2026. The White House confirmed that President Trump would sign the measure at 9:45 p.m. ET.
Legislative Developments Around Crypto
Amidst the reopening, the Senate Agriculture Committee released an initial draft bill outlining the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) role in overseeing crypto spot markets. Additionally, a confirmation hearing was scheduled for Mike Selig, President Trump’s nominee to lead the CFTC. These developments underscore the Senate’s efforts to address the regulatory framework for digital assets.
Federal Agencies Resume Operations
The government restart allows federal regulators like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and CFTC, both of which experienced furloughs, to resume their work around crypto and financial markets. During the shutdown, some companies used procedural workarounds to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) without explicit approvals. Now, the restart promises to accelerate approvals for public listings and related financial products.
Other Federal Efforts Resuming
Other federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), can also resume tasks like rulemaking and analyzing public feedback. This includes reviewing current responses tied to the GENIUS Act, which had been stalled during the shutdown.
Challenges and Ongoing Risks
Read more: U.S. Government Shutdown Stretches to Record 36 Days, Continues Risk of Derailing Crypto Bill. The government shutdown not only disrupted operations but also highlighted the fragility of progress on key legislative efforts. While work has resumed, the risk of derailing critical bills remains a pressing concern.