President Donald Trump has signed a spending bill to reopen the federal government, ending the longest shutdown in US history after 43 days. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives with a narrow margin, providing temporary funding until the end of January.
Trump signed the legislation in the Oval Office on Wednesday night, shortly after the House voted 222-209 to approve it. He criticized Democrats for the shutdown, claiming it was politically motivated, while the government is set to resume normal operations. The shutdown began on October 1 after Senate Democrats, holding out for extensions to Affordable Care Act subsidies, refused to support a funding bill. Republicans maintained that healthcare discussions should occur after the government reopened.
The bill extends last year’s spending levels for most agencies until January 30, 2026, and includes full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture, military construction, and legislative agencies. It also ensures backpay for federal employees and continues funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) until September, providing relief to millions of Americans. Approximately 1.4 million federal workers were affected, with many on unpaid leave or working without pay.
Air travel was disrupted due to staff shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration, leading to reduced flights and potential chaos ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Federal Aviation Administration had scaled back operations because of the shutdown, impacting congressional travel and broader transportation networks. These disruptions are expected to ease as government services gradually reopen in the coming days.
A key compromise involved a group of eight Senate Democrats who broke from their party to support the bill in exchange for a promised vote in December on legislation to extend the healthcare subsidies. This move caused internal division among Democrats, with leaders like Chuck Schumer criticizing the deal for failing to address the healthcare crisis substantively. In the House, six Democrats joined Republicans to pass the bill, while two Republicans voted against it.
The shutdown’s end comes after 43 days, the longest in US history, with little political gain for either side. Democrats failed to secure immediate concessions on healthcare, while Republicans faced criticism for the prolonged closure. The decision to end the shutdown was driven by the mounting impacts on federal workers and essential services, rather than a resolution of the underlying policy disputes.
Looking ahead, Congress faces another funding deadline in January, and both parties are positioning for midterm elections, with health care likely to be a central issue. The promised vote on subsidies in December will be a critical test for bipartisan cooperation, though House Speaker Mike Johnson has not guaranteed a floor vote. If no agreement is reached, Democrats may use the issue in campaign messaging for the 2026 elections.
