Trump Signs Bill Reopening Government as 43-Day Shutdown Ends

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Win McNamee/Getty Images

President Donald Trump on Wednesday night signed into law legislation that reopens the federal government and ends the longest shutdown in American history, a 43-day stalemate that disrupted services and left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid.

The move followed House passage of the spending measure by a 222-209 vote, with six Democrats joining nearly all Republicans in approving the package. Two Republicans voted against the bill. The Senate had advanced the same legislation earlier in the week, with eight Democrats crossing party lines to break a filibuster and end the shutdown. In a White House address, Trump attributed the stalemate to Democrats, urging Americans not to forget who he said bore responsibility as the midterms approach.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., led the Republican-controlled House back into session for the first time since Sept. 19, calling the moment a relief while directing sharp criticism at Democrats for what he described as a futile and costly paralysis. He highlighted the impact on families, travel, and federal workers awaiting pay.

The package funds the government through Sept. 30, 2024, in a three-bill “minibus” and maintains current funding levels through Jan. 30. It includes full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), shielding more than 40 million Americans who rely on food assistance through September. The bill also provides back pay and preserves federal employee positions through January, addressing furloughs and other disruptions from the shutdown.

A notable concession to Democrats is the absence of an extension for enhanced ACA subsidies beyond 2025, a point of contention that could affect premiums for more than 20 million Americans next year. Senate Republican leaders signaled plans for a separate ACA funding vote, though House leadership did not guarantee a correspondent action.

Among lawmakers, the debate underscored tensions over health care funding and affordability. Progressive voices criticized the deal, while Republicans framed the agreement as a necessary step to stabilize government operations and avoid a broader fiscal crisis.

As the administration braces for ongoing policy fights ahead of the midterms, Democrats argued the shutdown crystallized the distinction between their push to lower costs and Republican fiscal choices, a message Democrats say will energize their base in 2026.