NEW YORK – The end of the longest U.S. government shutdown in history would be a relief for small businesses that depend on federal contracts or funding. For seven weeks, they've been reducing spending, weighing layoffs and looking for stable work while trying to reach shuttered government offices, according to several contractors.

House lawmakers are returning to Washington on Wednesday to vote on compromise legislation that would fund the government through Jan. 30. A majority of Democrats are expected to vote against the bill, which is likely to win approval in the Republican-led chamber.

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Small business owners with government contracts say the shutdown has caused payment delays and the cancellation of some projects, and they will be working to make up for lost

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