WASHINGTON — President Trump signed a government funding package at the White House late Wednesday, officially ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
The measure, approved by both the House and Senate earlier this week, concludes a 43-day stalemate that paralyzed Capitol Hill and largely split lawmakers along party lines.
Under the legislation, most federal agencies will be funded through January 30, while three full-year appropriations bills cover other parts of the government. The Senate passed the bill on Monday, with eight Democrats joining Republicans to break the impasse.
The bill reopens the government, pays federal workers and ensures that funding for SNAP and other programs go out.
Millions of Americans will no longer have to worry whether the SNAP subsides that help them pay for groceries will run out. A USDA spokesperson said most states would receive funds for full SNAP benefits within 24 hours of the government reopening.
In the House, most Democrats opposed the package because it fails to address expiring health care tax credits—a key demand during the shutdown. As part of negotiations, Senate Democrats secured a commitment for a vote on the issue by mid-December, setting the stage for another major battle in Congress.
The shutdown impacted 42 million federal food aid recipients, 670,000 furloughed federal employees and 4,000 government workers who faced layoffs. It also threatened more than $7 billion in economic damage.
The return to normality could be short-lived, as the deal only funds the government until January 30, raising the prospect of another shutdown early next year.
