House extends recess through next week as shutdown becomes third longest in US history

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday extended the lower chamber's recess through next week as the government shutdown becomes the third longest shutdown on record at 17 days so far.

The House has not voted on a continuing resolution to reopen the federal government since last month, when it passed a clean resolution that would keep the government funded through Nov. 21. The Senate is trying to pass the same bill. 

The House clerk read an order from Johnson during a brief pro forma session that designated Oct. 20-25 as a "district work week," mirroring the same move he made last week. However, lawmakers are expected to be on a 48-hour notice for chamber business back in the Capitol should the need arise, according to Punchbowl News.

The move comes as the current shutdown officially becomes the third longest on record, with the second-longest being 21-days under former President Bill Clinton in 1996. The longest was during President Donald Trump's first term in 2018 and 2019, which lasted 35 days.

The next Senate vote on reopening the federal government is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.