President Trump signed a government funding bill on Wednesday, officially ending the 43-day government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history.
The signing took place in the Oval Office, where Trump was joined by GOP lawmakers and allies.
The president assigned blame for the shutdown to Democrats and emphasized his stance against what he called ‘extortion.’:
“Today we are sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion, because that’s what it was.”
Congressional votes and bipartisan support
The Senate passed the funding bill earlier in the week by a 60-40 margin, with eight Democrats joining Republicans to reach the necessary threshold.
The legislation covers funding for military construction, veterans’ affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and other government departments through various dates, restoring most government operations until at least January 30.
The House approved the bill in a 222-209 vote, with six Democrats crossing the aisle to support the measure alongside most Republicans.
This vote marked the first chamber-wide action in nearly two months.
Impact on federal workers and programs
The bill reverses widespread layoffs of federal employees initiated during the shutdown and includes provisions to prevent additional layoffs until at least early next year.
However, it does not extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire in January, potentially leading to higher health care premiums.
Political fallout and next steps
During the shutdown, the White House reduced flight capacity at major airports and challenged judicial orders related to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
Trump acknowledged the shutdown’s negative impact on Republicans following recent election losses and called for the Senate to consider eliminating the filibuster—a proposal that saw limited support.
Trump addressed the American public, urging them not to forget the shutdown during the upcoming midterm elections. He noted the effects of the shutdown would take weeks or months to fully assess.
