The House passed a bill to end the US's longest government shutdown, sending the measure to US President Donald Trump for his signature after a historic 43-day funding lapse that saw federal workers go without multiple paychecks, travellers stranded at airports and people lining up at food banks to get a meal for their families.

House lawmakers made their long-awaited return to the nation's capital this week after nearly eight weeks away.

Republicans used their slight majority to pass the bill with a mostly party-line vote of 222-209.

The Senate has already passed the measure.

Democrats wanted to extend an enhanced tax credit that expires at the end of the year, which lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

They refused to go along with a

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