Federal government reopens after longest shutdown in US history as Trump signs funding bill

The standoff between Republicans and Democrats originated over competing demands concerning health care provisions tied to a potential funding bill.

By Jewish Breaking News

President Donald Trump on Monday signed legislation to reopen the federal government, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history after 43 days.

“Today we’re sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion,” Trump said, referencing Democrats’ insistence that Republican leaders agree to negotiate over Obamacare health care policy changes before critical subsidies expire at the end of the year.

The shutdown surpassed the previous record of 35 days, set during Trump’s first term in 2018. Roughly 1.4 million federal employees missed paychecks during the shutdown’s first four weeks.

Several major programs and services were disrupted. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments, better known as SNAP, were suspended, prompting multiple states to sue the administration.

They argued the lapse required emergency funding to provide partial benefits. The Supreme Court later halted lower court orders requiring full payouts, leaving unclear how quickly assistance will resume.

Airports across the country reduced flights as staffing shortages among TSA personnel and air traffic controllers worsened.

Many employees had missed multiple paychecks, leading to widespread delays and limited service.

Federal museums, the release of national economic data and numerous other government functions were also curtailed during the shutdown.

The standoff between Republicans and Democrats originated over competing demands concerning health care provisions tied to a potential funding bill.

Trump and GOP leaders accused Democrats of seeking to offer government funded health care to undocumented immigrants.

Democrats, meanwhile, pointed to a provision that would repeal part of Trump’s signature domestic policy package, which the president has called his “big, beautiful bill,” that reduced Medicaid eligibility for non U.S. citizens.

Under the legislation Trump signed Monday, the government will remain funded at current fiscal year 2025 levels through Jan. 30, allowing lawmakers additional time to negotiate a broader appropriations agreement for fiscal year 2026.