President Donald Trump has officially signed a government spending bill, bringing an end to the longest federal government shutdown in US history.
The legislation, approved by the House of Representatives with a vote of 222-209 on Wednesday night and narrowly passed by the Senate two days earlier, allows federal operations to resume normal activities after 43 days of disruptions.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump highlighted the human impact of the shutdown, noting that federal employees and Americans relying on government services were severely affected. Approximately 1.4 million workers were either on unpaid leave or required to continue work without pay, while food assistance programs and national air travel faced significant delays.
Government services and air travel expected to normalize
With the bill now enacted, government offices are reopening gradually, and air travel disruptions are expected to ease ahead of Thanksgiving. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously reduced flights due to staffing shortages caused by the shutdown.
Political dynamics and compromises
The shutdown had political repercussions, particularly for Congress members traveling to Washington for the House vote. Wisconsin Republican Derrick Van Orden famously rode nearly 1,000 miles on his motorcycle to cast his vote.
The newly signed bill provides temporary funding only until January 30, meaning lawmakers will need to negotiate again to keep the government operational. Trump reiterated that Democrats were to blame, claiming the shutdown was politically motivated.
Despite being a minority in the Senate, Democrats influenced the process because Republicans required some Democratic support to pass a temporary spending measure. Initially, Democrats demanded extended healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans, but after negotiation, eight Senate Democrats broke ranks and voted for the bill, securing a promise of a vote on the subsidies in December.
Impact on federal workers and public services
The spending package guarantees back pay for all federal employees affected by the shutdown. It also includes funding for the Department of Agriculture, military construction, legislative agencies, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food aid to millions of Americans.
Some Democrats criticized the bill for failing to address broader healthcare issues, while others emphasized the relief it provides to federal workers. Meanwhile, Congress welcomed its newest member, Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, who will also participate in efforts to push for legislation related to the release of files tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
What's in the spending deal?
- Temporary government funding until 30 January
- Full-year funding for Department of Agriculture
- Military construction and legislative agency funding
- Guaranteed back pay for federal employees
- Continued support for SNAP until September
- Scheduled vote on healthcare subsidies in December
The Trump administration's signing of the spending bill marks a critical step in reopening the government and restoring essential services, while attention now shifts to upcoming negotiations on longer-term funding and healthcare provisions.