U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a bill officially ending the longest government shutdown in American history, following a 43-day deadlock that disrupted key federal operations and left hundreds of thousands of workers without pay.
The House of Representatives passed the funding package by a 222–209 vote, allowing the resumption of food assistance programs, federal worker salaries, and the air-traffic control system. The Senate had approved the bill earlier in the week, paving the way for Trump’s signature late Wednesday night.
The shutdown, which began after a budget impasse over health insurance subsidies, had paralyzed several government agencies. While Trump’s backing helped maintain Republican unity, many House Democrats expressed frustration that the standoff failed to secure their desired healthcare funding extension.
During the bill-signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump criticized Democrats, declaring:
“We can never let this happen again. This is no way to run a country.”
The new deal funds the government through January 30, continuing to add approximately $1.8 trillion annually to the nation’s $38 trillion debt.
Republican Representative David Schweikert offered a light-hearted critique, comparing the prolonged standoff to a Seinfeld episode:
“I feel like I just lived a Seinfeld episode. We just spent 40 days and I still don’t know what the plotline was.”
He added, “I really thought this would be like 48 hours—people would vent and we’d move on. What’s happened now when rage is policy?”
The end of the shutdown brings relief across sectors. Air travel services are expected to recover in time for the upcoming Thanksgiving travel rush, while food aid programs will resume, helping millions of American families ahead of the Christmas season.
The resumption of data releases from key agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau will also restore vital economic indicators that had been suspended, leaving policymakers and investors without crucial insights into employment, inflation, and consumer spending.
However, the White House noted that some data gaps will remain permanent, particularly the October employment and CPI reports, which may never be published.
Economists estimate that the shutdown reduced U.S. GDP growth by more than 0.1% per week, although much of the lost output is expected to be regained in the following months.
Politically, the closure has left both major parties with mixed outcomes. A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 50% of Americans blame Republicans for the shutdown, while 47% blame Democrats.
The agreement also sets the stage for a December Senate vote on extending federal health insurance subsidies. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson has not guaranteed that the measure will be brought to a vote in the lower chamber.
With the shutdown now officially over, tens of thousands of federal employees are expected to return to work immediately, though experts warn it may take weeks before full government operations return to normal.
