President Trump signed a funding bill on November 12, 2025, officially ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The 43-day standoff, which began on October 1, shuttered large portions of the federal government and furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers. With this agreement, funding is restored through January 30, 2026, offering only a temporary resolution as deeper policy disputes remain unresolved.
The shutdown stemmed from a budget impasse between congressional Democrats and Republicans over healthcare spending and entitlement reforms. Democrats demanded continued federal subsidies for expanded Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage, while Republicans, backed by the Trump administration, rejected further short-term extensions and called for structural reforms to reduce long-term costs.
The legislation passed the House by a narrow margin of 222-209, with six Democrats voting in favor. In the Senate, the bill cleared with a 60-40 vote. The package includes full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture, military construction projects, and legislative branch operations. It also reverses thousands of furlough notices issued during the shutdown and guarantees back pay for affected federal employees.
While the measure brings short-term relief, it notably omits any continuation of the expanded ACA subsidies. Instead, it includes a provision promising a vote on that issue in January, with no assurance of passage. Critics of the deal argue that it kicks the can down the road and sets up another round of brinkmanship early next year.
President Trump praised the legislation as a necessary step to reopen government while holding the line against what he described as unsustainable spending increases. Supporters framed the shutdown as a needed confrontation over runaway entitlement costs and long-term fiscal responsibility.
This shutdown surpassed the previous record of 35 days in 2018-2019, also during the Trump administration. With a short-term fix now in place, congressional leaders face renewed pressure to reach a broader agreement before the January deadline or risk another costly interruption to federal operations.
