House members should start returning to Washington 'right now,' Johnson says

Speaker Mike Johnson urged House members to start returning to Capitol Hill "right now" in comments to reporters Monday as the chamber prepares to vote on a funding package that would end the 41-day government shutdown.

The Senate has yet to provide final sign-off on the legislation, but the success of a procedural vote Sunday was a firm signal it is on track to pass this week. House members are on a 36-hour notice to return to the Capitol, but Johnson noted the ongoing air travel disruptions due to the shutdown as he recommended members begin making their way to Washington.

Johnson repeated the admonition in a private call with House Republicans, according to four people granted anonymity to describe the discussion, and said he is aiming to hold a vote as soon as Wednesday on the package to reopen the government.

In his remarks to reporters, Johnson said he would officially call members back to the Capitol "at the very moment" the Senate passes the package, which will provide full-year funding for food aid, farm and veterans programs and congressional operations, while extending funding for most other federal departments and agencies through Jan. 30.

Johnson, who made the rare decision to keep the House out of session for more than 50 days in a bid to persuade Senate Democrats to fold, declared victory in the shutdown during a Monday morning appearance.

He left without taking questions but later told reporters in the hallway that “I think we will” have the votes to pass the package in the House. On the private call with GOP members, he made clear President Donald Trump wants the package to pass and the government to reopen as soon as possible, the people familiar with the call said.

Johnson told reporters at his prior appearance that Trump was "very anxious" to reopen the government, suggesting he would ensure fellow Republicans fall in line.

"As recently as last night, I was with him, and he told the press, he said, 'We want to get the government open,'" he said.