On Wednesday night, President Donald Trump signed landmark legislation that restores funding to the federal government and brings an end to the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
After 43 days of impasse that disrupted travel, delayed pay for hundreds of thousands of federal employees, and strained food and benefit programmes, Congress approved a funding package and the president swiftly affixed his signature.
The newly-signed bill extends government funding through January 30, 2026, and incorporates three full-year appropriations bills covering key agencies including agriculture and veterans affairs.
It also reverses the mass furloughs and pay freezes that took effect during the shutdown and guarantees back-pay for affected workers.
House members approved the measure by a vote of 222 to 209, with notably only six Democrats joining Republicans to support the legislation. Two Republicans broke rank by opposing it.
Despite the reopening, key provisions remain unresolved. The Democratic push to extend enhanced health-insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act was excluded from the bill, with lawmakers agreeing only to hold a Senate vote by mid-December.
In the Oval Office signing event, the President laid blame squarely at the feet of the opposition, warning voters not to forget the economic and service disruptions they say were caused by the legislative deadlock.
With the cornerstone of the shutdown lifted, federal employees were told to return to their workplaces starting Thursday, while agencies begin the process of full operational resumption.
