Trump Signs Bill to End Longest US Government Shutdown in History

President Donald Trump has signed a short-term spending bill to reopen the US government, ending a 43-day shutdown—the longest in American history. The legislation was passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday night with a 222-209 vote, following narrow Senate approval earlier this week.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the government would “resume normal operations” after many Americans were “hurt so badly” by the prolonged shutdown. Around 1.4 million federal employees had been affected, either furloughed without pay or working under suspended pay. The shutdown also disrupted food aid programs and caused significant delays in air travel, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reducing flights due to staff shortages.

Government services are expected to gradually reopen over the coming days, while air travel disruptions are likely to ease ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Notably, Wisconsin Republican Derrick Van Orden traveled nearly 1,000 miles on his motorcycle to reach Washington, D.C., in time to vote on the bill in the House.

The legislation provides funding only until 30 January, leaving Congress with the task of negotiating the next budget before then. Trump used the signing event to place blame on Democrats for the shutdown, calling it “purely for political reasons” and warning voters not to forget the impact ahead of future elections.