Trump Signs Bill Ending Longest US Government
Shutdown in History 2025
House Vote and Trump’s Late-Night Signing
The Republican-led House approved the measure with support from most GOP members, despite strong Democratic opposition. Critics argued the deal failed to address expiring health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, set to lapse by year’s end.
During a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump lambasted Democrats for prolonging the crisis: “We can never let this happen again. This is no way to run a country.” Federal employees could return to work as early as Thursday, though full operations may take days to normalize.
Immediate Relief for Workers and Services
The bill ensures back pay for over 800,000 affected workers and restores programs like SNAP food assistance for millions of families. Air traffic control towers, strained during the shutdown, will ramp up staffing to handle the impending holiday rush.
However, some economic data from October—such as employment and inflation reports—may remain unreleased permanently, creating gaps in understanding the US economy’s health.
Economic and Holiday Impacts
Economists estimate the shutdown cost the economy up to $11 billion in permanent losses, with GDP growth shaved by more than 0.1% per week. The outage left investors and households without key indicators on jobs, inflation, and consumer spending.
As Christmas shopping ramps up, restored food aid could free up household budgets. For travelers, the timing offers hope: With Thanksgiving two weeks away, airlines and the FAA are prioritizing recovery to avoid further disruptions.
Political Ramifications and No Clear Winner
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed blame split nearly evenly: 50% pointed to Republicans, 47% to Democrats. Outgoing Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, now New Jersey’s governor-elect, used her final House speech to urge resistance against the administration’s policies on food aid and healthcare.
The deal paves the way for a December Senate vote on health subsidies, but House Speaker Mike Johnson offered no guarantees. Meanwhile, the House must soon vote on releasing unclassified Jeffrey Epstein documents, adding fuel to ongoing investigations.
Key Provisions and Future Funding Path
Beyond basic funding, the bill includes protections for senators’ privacy, allowing lawsuits against the Justice Department for unauthorized phone data access related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol probe. It also funds certain agencies through September 2026.
Trump’s administration faces criticism for not capping healthcare premiums during negotiations. As debt climbs toward $40 trillion, the extension keeps the government afloat but sets up potential clashes in early 2026.
