WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed legislation formally ending the longest government shutdown in US history, about two hours after the House of Representatives voted to restart key federal operations. The shutdown, which lasted 43 days, disrupted critical services and left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay.
The Republican-controlled House passed the funding package with a 222-209 vote, narrowly approving the deal amid strong opposition from Democrats. Lawmakers said the bill would restart food assistance programs, restore air-traffic control systems, and pay federal workers affected by the standoff.
Trump’s signature on the bill, which had cleared the Senate earlier in the week, will allow federal workers to return to their posts as early as Thursday. However, officials warned that full restoration of services could take several days. The measure funds government operations through January 30, keeping spending on track to add about $1.8 trillion annually to the national debt, now estimated at $38 trillion.
Republicans Divided, Democrats Frustrated
Republican Representative David Schweikert compared Congress’s handling of the shutdown to an episode of Seinfeld, calling the entire ordeal “plotless and exhausting.” He said he expected the standoff to last only a few days but questioned why “rage has become policy.”
The shutdown’s resolution offers relief for critical sectors, especially air travel, which faced severe disruptions amid staff shortages. The restoration of food aid will also help millions of families struggling with rising living costs as the holiday season approaches.
Economic Data Flow to Resume
The reopening will restore the flow of economic data from federal agencies that had suspended operations during the shutdown. Economists said the absence of key reports, including those on employment and inflation, left markets uncertain about the country’s economic trajectory.
However, the White House cautioned that some data — particularly October’s employment and Consumer Price Index reports — might never be published. Analysts estimate that the shutdown reduced gross domestic product (GDP) by more than one-tenth of a percentage point for each of the six weeks it lasted, though much of that output loss is expected to be recovered.
No Deal on Healthcare Subsidies
The shutdown ended eight days after Democrats made significant electoral gains, strengthening their position in future negotiations. Many Democrats hoped to secure an extension of federal health insurance subsidies, which expire at the end of the year.
Although the Senate is expected to vote on those subsidies in December, House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to similar action in the lower chamber. Outgoing Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill, recently elected as New Jersey’s next governor, urged her colleagues in her farewell speech to “stand up to Trump’s administration” and push for broader reforms.
