US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) signed a government funding bill to end a record 43-day shutdown that triggered financial stress to federal workers. The shutdown highly impacted travellers at several airports in US and led to long queues at food banks.He said, “I just want to tell you the country has never been in better shape. We went through this short-term disaster with the Democrats because they thought it would be good politically. And it’s an honour now to sign this incredible bill and get our country working again.”
The longest government shutdown came to an end, but left no one happy as Democrats didn’t get what they demanded (health insurance provisions), while Republicans, despite controlling Congress and the White House, faced public backlash.ALSO READ: 43-day logjam ends: US lawmakers vote to end record govt shutdown — key pointsThe fallout was severe: thousands of federal employees went without paychecks, airports faced delays and cancellations due to staff shortages, and long lines formed at food banks as nutrition assistance programs stalled. For many Americans, the shutdown’s toll extended beyond financial strain, deepening anxiety ahead of the holiday season.The agreement, shaped by the Senate Appropriations Committee, will fund key sectors including food aid, veterans’ programs, and legislative operations. However, most federal funding will only be extended until January 30, offering Congress a narrow two-month window to finalise additional spending bills. Trump’s signature came just hours after the House passed the legislation, following a Senate vote earlier in the week.
According to Reuters, Republican Congressman David Schweikert compared the political stalemate to “a Seinfeld episode,” saying, “We just spent 40 days and I still don’t know what the plotline was.” He added, “What’s happened now when rage is policy?”ALSO READ: US govt shutdown nears end: Airlines cancel 1,200 flights; FAA, carriers discuss gradual rollbackFederal workers are expected to return to their jobs as early as Thursday, but the path to full normalcy remains uncertain, according to a report from Reuters. Air travel services, strained by staffing shortages, are expected to stabilise gradually before the busy Thanksgiving period. Nutrition assistance programs and government data reporting will resume, though some economic indicators — including employment and inflation data for October — may be lost permanently.The stopgap deal also leaves open deeper fiscal questions: government debt continues to grow by roughly $1.8 trillion annually, and partisan divisions over long-term spending loom large as the next funding deadline approaches.
