President Trump signed legislation on Wednesday ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The move comes after the House of Representatives voted to resume food assistance, pay federal workers, and restore air-traffic control systems.
The Republican-controlled House approved the funding package 222-209, with Trump’s support helping keep his party largely united. Democrats criticized the deal, saying it did not secure extensions for federal health insurance subsidies.
With Trump’s signature, federal workers idled by the 43-day shutdown are expected to return to their jobs as early as Thursday. However, officials said full government services may take longer to resume.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said, “We can never let this happen again. This is no way to run a country.” The funding extension now runs through January 30, keeping the federal government on track to add roughly $1.8 trillion annually to the $38 trillion debt.
The shutdown affected millions, delaying food assistance, air travel operations, and key economic data releases. Reports on employment and the Consumer Price Index for October may never be issued, according to the White House.
Economists estimate the shutdown shaved over a tenth of a percentage point from GDP during the six weeks of closure, although most of the lost output is expected to be recovered in the following months.
Democrats recently won high-profile elections, strengthening their position to seek health insurance subsidies. However, Speaker Mike Johnson has not promised a vote on extending subsidies in the House.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 50% of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 47% blamed Democrats. The end of the shutdown also allows Congress to focus on other pressing matters, including new votes on unclassified records related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The legislation additionally provides legal protections and potential compensation for senators affected by privacy breaches during investigations of the January 6 Capitol attack by Trump supporters.
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The conclusion of the shutdown marks a temporary relief for federal workers and citizens relying on government services, but the political and economic impacts of the 43-day closure remain significant.
