Trump Signs Bill to End 43-Day Government Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump signed a government funding bill after a record-setting 43-day shutdown, restoring operations and pay for federal workers. The deal followed intense partisan conflict, primarily over expiring health care subsidies. With the shutdown over, debates on ACA tax credits remain unresolved ahead of a December Senate vote.
Trump Signs Government Funding Deal: Quick Looks
- Trump signs bill ending 43-day government shutdown
- Federal workers to receive back pay, layoffs reversed
- Shutdown caused widespread disruption at airports, food banks
- Partisan fight centered on expiring ACA tax credits
- Deal funds government through Jan. 30, with no subsidy guarantee
- Democrats vow to keep pushing for subsidy extension
- Republicans argue ACA subsidies should expire with COVID era
- Shutdown sparked public frustration, legislative inaction since September
- Lawmakers also included security funding, legal protections in bill
- Next battle likely during mid-December Senate vote
Trump Signs Bill to End 43-Day Government Shutdown
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed a long-awaited government funding bill on Wednesday night, officially ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history after 43 days of political stalemate. The shutdown disrupted government services, halted paychecks for thousands of federal employees, and left food banks and airports under strain.
The bill’s passage marks a temporary truce in a partisan conflict that exposed deep divisions between Democrats and Republicans, particularly over healthcare policy. The final legislation, approved earlier in the day by the House in a 222-209 vote and previously passed by the Senate, keeps the government funded through January 30.
Trump, addressing the nation, blamed Democrats for the prolonged shutdown and warned voters not to forget the episode ahead of next year’s midterms.
“So I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this,” Trump said. “When we come up to midterms and other things, don’t forget what they’ve done to our country.”
Democrats had insisted on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that lower health insurance costs through the federal marketplace. Their refusal to accept a short-term bill without those subsidies was central to the standoff. Republicans, however, argued that tying healthcare subsidies to government funding was inappropriate and insisted the issue should be debated separately.
“We told you 43 days ago from bitter experience that government shutdowns don’t work,” said Rep. Tom Cole, Republican chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “They never achieve the objective that you announce. And guess what? You haven’t achieved that objective yet, and you’re not going to.”
The emotional toll and political consequences of the shutdown were evident during floor debates. Republicans accused Democrats of using the shutdown to score policy wins.
“They knew it would cause pain and they did it anyway,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson.
In response, Democrats pointed to recent Republican-backed tax breaks they argue primarily benefit the wealthy, while everyday Americans still struggle to afford health insurance.
“This bill leaves families twisting in the wind,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., warning there’s “zero guarantee” Congress will extend the expiring ACA subsidies.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries made clear the fight was far from over: “This fight is not over. We’re just getting started.”
The House had been largely inactive since September 19, following the passage of a temporary spending measure. Lawmakers were sent home, leaving the Senate to take the lead in brokering a solution. Ultimately, a group of eight senators—breaking from Democratic leadership—helped craft the compromise, recognizing that GOP opposition to including the ACA tax credit extension would not budge.
What’s in the Bill
The legislation restores funding to three federal departments and temporarily extends the rest through January 30. It reverses any firings of federal workers that occurred during the shutdown and bars further layoffs until at least the end of January. Federal employees are guaranteed back pay.
Key benefits, such as food assistance programs administered by the Agriculture Department, will remain funded for the rest of the budget year. The bill also includes $203.5 million to bolster security for members of Congress and an additional $28 million for Supreme Court justice protection.
One contentious provision allows senators to sue federal agencies or employees who access their electronic records without notice—an apparent response to FBI scrutiny of Republican senators’ communications during the Trump-era election investigations. Both Democrats and Republicans criticized the measure for being inserted late in the process.
Speaker Johnson expressed strong frustration with the provision: “That was dropped in at the last minute, and I did not appreciate that, nor did most of the House members,” he said, adding there would be a separate vote on the issue soon.
The Healthcare Flashpoint
At the heart of the shutdown was the expiring enhanced ACA tax credit. Originally expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the subsidies dramatically reduced premiums for millions of Americans. Without congressional action, premiums are expected to more than double for many enrollees. According to the Congressional Budget Office, over 2 million Americans could lose coverage altogether if the subsidies lapse.
Republicans argue the pandemic-era subsidies were meant to be temporary and that continuing them would amount to excessive government spending. “It’s a subsidy on top of a subsidy,” said Rep. Cole. “COVID is over. They chose the date.”
Democrats countered that the subsidies are essential to maintaining access to health care for working families.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “All they have done is try to eliminate access to health care in our country. The country is catching on to them.”
Looking Ahead: A December Showdown
Although Republicans have promised a Senate vote in December on the ACA subsidies, there is no assurance it will pass. Speaker Johnson has not committed to taking up any such measure in the House.
Some Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, have expressed willingness to extend the tax credits if modifications—like income caps—are added. Some Democrats appear open to negotiations on those terms.
Still, Democrats remain wary. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said GOP opposition to the ACA is longstanding. “That’s where they’re trying to go,” she warned.
With the government now funded into early next year, Congress has bought time—but not clarity. The next political battle looms in December, when the future of health care subsidies and potentially another shutdown will once again take center stage.
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