President Obama signs law ending 16-day government shutdown
The government reopened today after Congress voted to fund the government and raise the debt ceiling, ending a 16-day shutdown. The House passed a bill 285-144 last night to reopen the government until Jan. 15 and raise the debt ceiling until Feb. 7. The Senate voted 81 to 8. President Obama signed the bill into law early this morning. The legislation includes income verification for those receiving health-insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, restores government programs and restores back pay to furloughed federal workers.