The longest federal government shutdown in US history has ended, with President Trump signing a funding bill. Agencies are resuming operations, furloughed employees are returning, and back pay is guaranteed. The impact of the shutdown included disruptions to government services, including museums and air travel. ACA subsidies remain unresolved.
The longest federal government shutdown in the history of the United States has finally come to an end, with government agencies and services beginning the process of returning to normal operations. The shutdown, lasting an unprecedented 43 days, concluded after President Donald Trump signed the funding bill passed by both houses of Congress.
The immediate impact is the expected resumption of regular services across the board; however, some programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will require a short period to fully implement and distribute benefits. The spending bill provides funding to reopen the federal government and sustain its operations until January 30, 2026, with certain agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, receiving funding that extends through the end of the fiscal year. This marks a crucial step in stabilizing essential government functions following a period of significant disruption.\During the shutdown, a substantial number of federal employees, estimated at 670,000 according to the Bipartisan Policy Center, were placed on furlough. These employees are now expected to return to their respective workplaces immediately, and instructions to this effect have been issued to various agencies. For instance, a memo obtained by ABC News indicated that employees at Health and Human Services (HHS) were instructed to 'report for duty' on Thursday, with potential consequences for those who did not adhere to this directive. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has also issued guidance to agencies, urging them to acknowledge the disruption faced by furloughed employees in their daily lives and routines. In addition to furloughed employees, essential federal workers, such as Capitol Police officers, Transportation Security Administration staff, and air traffic controllers, were required to continue working without pay. The administration implemented layoffs through Reduction in Force orders across different agencies during the shutdown. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, signed into law by President Trump, ensures that all federal employees, whether furloughed or working without pay, will receive back pay for the period of the shutdown. The new funding bill includes specific language to overturn any Trump administration firings that occurred during the shutdown and prevents further reductions in force until the next funding deadline on January 30, 2026. This comprehensive approach aims to address the financial and employment-related consequences experienced by federal workers due to the extended shutdown.\The repercussions of the shutdown extended beyond just the financial and employment sectors. The funding bill also includes a crucial provision to fully fund SNAP benefits through the end of September 2026, ensuring that vulnerable populations continue to receive this essential support. The Smithsonian museums, for example, were forced to close from October 12th due to funding shortfalls, but are now reopening in a phased approach. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazey Center are scheduled to open on November 14th, with other museums, research centers, and the National Zoo to follow by November 17th. The shutdown also created significant challenges in the aviation sector. The shortage of air traffic controllers, even though they were not furloughed, led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce flights by 10% at 40 airports, leading to cancellations and delays across the nation. The Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported that some air traffic controllers resigned during the shutdown, and that they would receive a significant portion of their back pay shortly after the reopening. It may take up to a week for air travel to return to normal operations following the end of the government shutdown. Furthermore, the issue of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, a key point of contention during negotiations, was not resolved in the Senate deal that led to the government reopening, potentially leading to increased health premiums for millions of Americans if no further action is taken
Government Shutdown Federal Employees Funding Bill Air Travel ACA Subsidies
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Democrats Divided Over Shutdown Deal: Internal Rifts Emerge After Agreement to End Government ShutdownA deal to end the government shutdown has led to deep divisions within the Democratic Party, with criticism directed at the lawmakers who supported the agreement and the party leadership.
Read more »
Federal Agencies Instruct Employees to Return to Work Following Government ShutdownMultiple federal agencies, including Health and Human Services, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, and Justice, have instructed employees to return to work on Thursday following the end of the government shutdown. The legislation signed by President Trump reopens the government after a 43-day closure, the longest in US history, and provides back pay for furloughed workers.
Read more »
Government shutdown live updates as federal agencies begin to reopenThe longest government shutdown in modern U.S. history came to a close Wednesday night when President Trump signed a bill to fund the government through Jan. 30, ending the 43-day-long impasse.
Read more »
Federal services, agencies slowly returning after government shutdown endsSome furloughed federal employees were told to 'report for duty' on Thursday.
Read more »
Government shutdown live updates as federal agencies reopen and employees return to workThe government is starting to reopen after President Trump signed a bill to fund the government through Jan. 30. Follow live updates here.
Read more »
Federal Agencies Order Workers Back to Work After Government Shutdown EndsMultiple federal agencies are directing employees to return to work after the government shutdown concluded, with back pay and museum reopenings also underway.
Read more »