Government shutdown updates: Trump signs government funding bill

The American Federation of Government Employees, the nation's largest union representing federal employees, wrote in a letter on Wednesday that U.S. Representatives should vote in favor of the Senate-passed bill that would end the government shutdown.

AFGE Legislative Director Daniel Horowitz wrote in the letter that the shutdown has forced many federal employees "to work without pay or stay home from the jobs they love. Each day of inaction weakens vital public services and delays benefits millions of Americans rely on… Passing this bill will reopen the government and allow federal employees to return to the work of serving the American people. It will ensure safety and security for our vital transportation systems."

-ABC News' Oren Oppenheim

House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking to reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday morning, said the "national nightmare" of the shutdown will end Wednesday night.

Johnson issued an apology to Americans who are dealing with flight delays, food insecurity and those who've missed paychecks as a result of the weekslong impasse -- for which he blamed Democrats. "They have a lot to answer for," he said of congressional Democrats.

"And I just want to say that we're very optimistic about the vote tally tonight, and we think this is going to happen, and we're sorry that it took this long. So Republicans are going to deliver for the people," Johnson said.

Two of the nation's busiest federal courts are each scheduled to be closed the next two Fridays even if Congress votes on Wednesday to end the government shutdown.

United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York will close this Friday and next Friday to minimize disruptions, sources familiar with the decision told ABC News.

One source likened the closures to flight reductions caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers.

The courts prefer to give clerks, stenographers and security guards an assigned Friday off rather than delay or disrupt trials and hearings with unpredictable, varied sick calls and other shutdown-related staff shortages.

Federal court buildings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, White Plains and Central Islip are expected to close even if the shutdown ends. The sources said there is a lag in restarting payroll systems.

-ABC News' Aaron Katersky

The House is set to take up the Senate-passed funding package on Wednesday evening.

First votes are scheduled for 5:10 p.m., with the vote to end the shutdown expected after 7 p.m. Democrats are expected to largely vote against the bill, but some moderates may vote along with Republicans to approve it.

Once passed, it heads to President Donald Trump for his signature, and he has indicated that he will sign it. That could happen as soon as Wednesday night.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez