Trump signs spending bill to end longest shutdown in US history

November 13, 2025

President Trump signed a short-term spending bill to end a 43-day government shutdown, the longest in American history, which had left 1. 4 million federal workers unpaid and disrupted essential services including food assistance and air travel. The bill passed narrowly after eight Senate Democrats broke with their party to support it in exchange for a promised December vote on healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans, triggering significant internal Democratic criticism.

Who is affected

Approximately 1.4 million federal employees who were on unpaid leave or working without pay
Recipients of SNAP food assistance (one in eight Americans)
Air travelers nationwide experiencing disruptions
Members of Congress attempting to reach the capital for voting
Low-income Americans whose health insurance subsidies are set to expire
Federal workers represented by senators like Tim Kaine
Adelita Grijalva, the newly sworn-in Democratic representative from Arizona

What action is being taken

The government is resuming normal operations
Government services are reopening in the coming days
Air travel disruptions are easing
Federal workers are receiving back pay for time during the shutdown
House Speaker Mike Johnson is scheduling a vote on Jeffrey Epstein files for next week
A Democratic petition to force a vote on Epstein-related legislation is sitting for the required seven legislative days

Why it matters

This matters because it ends the longest government shutdown in US history, restoring critical services and income to over a million federal workers who have gone without pay for 43 days. The shutdown had disrupted essential services including food assistance programs serving one in eight Americans and caused nationwide air travel problems due to FAA staffing shortages. The significance extends beyond immediate relief, as the temporary nature of the funding (only through January 30th) means the underlying political conflicts remain unresolved, setting up another potential crisis in weeks. Additionally, the deal exposed deep divisions within the Democratic Party over negotiating strategy, with eight senators breaking ranks to support the compromise in exchange for a healthcare vote promise.

What's next

Lawmakers will need to find a way to fund the government again by January 30th
A vote on healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans will occur in December
The petition on Jeffrey Epstein files will receive a floor vote next week (as scheduled by Speaker Johnson)
After the required waiting period, House leadership will be required to schedule the Epstein files vote within two legislative days

Read full article from source: BBC