On November 13, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a bill on Wednesday (November 12) that was passed by both houses of Congress and provides government funding until the end of January next year, officially ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Trump, in the Oval Office shortly before signing the bill, stated, “Today, we send a clear message: we will never yield to extortion,” referring to demands by the Democratic Party that had previously led to the deadlock.
He also reiterated the need to end the Senate’s filibuster rule that caused the shutdown, requiring a majority of 60 votes to pass most bills.
The President signed the bill around 10:25 p.m. Eastern Time, approximately two hours after the House vote to pass the bill.
Trump’s signature means that federal employees who have not been paid for over a month will soon receive their back pay, and those who were on furlough will return to work.
The bill also ensures funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, and other delayed food assistance programs affected by the government shutdown for the upcoming year.
This also means that air travel in the U.S. will gradually return to normal. Due to the shutdown, some air traffic controllers were absent, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to limit flight operations for safety reasons, causing major disruptions in air travel.
The House passed the spending bill with 222 votes in favor and 209 against around 8:20 p.m. Eastern Time.
Six Democratic members of the House voted in favor, including Jared Golden from Maine, Adam Gray from California, Don Davis from North Carolina, Henry Cuellar from Texas, Tom Suozzi from New York, and Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez from Washington state.
Two Republican House members, Thomas Massie from Kentucky and Greg Steube from Florida, voted against the bill.
House Speaker, a Republican congressman from Louisiana, immediately told reporters at a press conference on Capitol Hill after the vote, “The Democrats did not achieve anything through this at all.”
In addition to extending government funding until January 30, 2026, thereby ending the 43-day shutdown, the bill also provides full funding for three government departments, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch, until September 30, 2026.
Healthcare issues were the main controversial focus that sparked and sustained the government shutdown. According to Rosa DeLauro, the chief Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, the same issues may trigger another shutdown in January next year.
When asked about this possibility, DeLauro told “The Epoch Times,” “I am very concerned. On January 30, we may find ourselves in the same situation again. Remember, we have nine other appropriations bills to deal with.”
Democrats have been calling for a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax subsidies. These subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. Some experts warn that if the subsidies are discontinued, ACA policy premiums could significantly increase.
Republicans have put forward alternative proposals regarding ACA subsidies.
One proposal, suggested by Trump, is to provide direct payments or tax rebate checks as an alternative to ACA subsidies.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana proposed transferring ACA subsidy funds to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina advocated for block grants to states for healthcare assistance using relevant funds.
It is currently unclear whether these proposals will receive enough support within the Republican party.
The Senate passed the spending bill on November 10. At that time, all Republican senators, except one who voted against, supported the bill. Additionally, seven Democratic senators and one independent senator voted in favor.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen of the Democratic Party expressed at a press conference held after voting in favor on Sunday night that if the extension of ACA tax deductions is not approved, Democrats may consider shutting down the government again in January.