After a record-breaking 43 days, the U.S. federal government shutdown officially ended Wednesday night when President Donald Trump signed legislation that cleared both chambers of Congress earlier in the week.
The agreement passed the Senate Monday and the House Wednesday by a 222-209 vote, sending a continuing resolution that funds most federal agencies through Jan. 30, 2026.
“We can never let this happen again,” Trump said during his late-night signing ceremony.
What’s in the Deal?
The legislation allows federal agencies to fully resume operations after the 43-day shutdown and ensures that all furloughed workers will receive back pay. The bill restores funding to departments that had been forced to scale back or halt services and authorizes the immediate reopening of government offices.
The funding measure extends government operations through the end of January 2026. It includes full-year appropriations for several areas, including legislative operations, veterans’ programs and parts of the agriculture budget, giving those sectors more stability than the short-term extension provided to most agencies.
The agreement does not settle the broader policy disputes that fueled the shutdown, particularly the fight over expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits. That unresolved issue leaves open the possibility of another funding standoff early next year, as lawmakers remain divided on long-term spending and health-care priorities.
What Happens Next
Federal workers return to duty beginning Thursday, though full recovery of services will take days or weeks. Some economic data series may remain delayed as agencies resume operations.
Travel during the Thanksgiving holiday is expected to proceed more smoothly now that interruptions tied to air traffic staffing are easing.
