WASHINGTON: After the Senate’s approval, the US House of Representatives has also passed the government spending bill, bringing an end to the longest shutdown in American history.
According to reports, 222 lawmakers, including six Democrats, voted in favor of the bill, while 209 members, including two Republicans, opposed it. The bill has now been sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.
With the passage of this temporary funding bill, the government shutdown that began on October 1 has officially ended. The legislation will provide funds for government operations until January 30, ensuring that federal financial activities continue without disruption.
The bill also aims to restore food assistance programs, resume salary payments, and reactivate the nation’s air traffic control system.
This move comes after weeks of financial deadlock and disruptions to federal services, which had severely affected the performance of government institutions across the United States.
Why shutdown:
The government shutdown in the US happens when Congress fails to pass legislation to fund federal government operations and agencies. Essentially, without a new spending bill or budget agreement, the government legally cannot spend money, forcing many departments to close or operate at minimal capacity.
How soon will things return to normal?
With the government now back in operation, many federal employees and contractors are set to resume work as early as Thursday morning. Still, the effects of the 43-day shutdown are expected to linger for weeks, continuing to impact daily life across the country.
Estimates from the Bipartisan Policy Center suggest that about 670,000 federal workers were placed on furlough during the closure, while another 730,000 were required to keep working without pay. With funding restored, paychecks are expected to start arriving soon, and those who were sent home can now return to their offices.
National parks, forests, and other federally managed sites will reopen to visitors as staff return to their posts. While the exact timing remains uncertain, previous shutdowns suggest the process could take several days.
Food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is expected to be fully reinstated right away, benefiting roughly 42 million Americans.
However, some federal programs may take longer to recover. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps around 6 million households with heating costs, may not resume for several weeks, a concern as colder weather sets in.
The Head Start program, which provides early childhood education services, could also face delays in restarting.
US airports are also expected to gradually return to normal operations. The Federal Aviation Administration had previously reduced flights at 40 major airports after numerous air traffic controllers stopped reporting for duty due to unpaid work during the shutdown.
