Will 42-day US govt shutdown end today? Eyes on Democrats as House votes on Senate-approved bill The ongoing US government shutdown —the longest in the country’s history— could end as soon as Thursday as the House of Representatives is set to hold a vote on the bill approved by the Senate. The Republicans have a majority in the chamber. House members were notified on Monday to return by 4 pm today to the chamber for a possible vote. If all the procedures are completed, the shutdown could end today itself.