Longest US Government Shutdown Concludes, Highlighting Political Rift
US government reopens after historic shutdown marked by deep partisan conflict.
On November 13, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed a funding bill that officially ended the longest government shutdown in US history, which lasted 43 days. The shutdown had severe consequences, affecting almost 900,000 federal employees who were furloughed and more than two million who worked without pay, while disrupting public services and causing widespread operational challenges.
Legislative Approval Amid Partisan Deadlock
The House of Representatives passed the funding measure just hours before the signing, with a 222-209 vote that largely fell along party lines. The Senate had approved the bill earlier in the week. The shutdown was driven by intense partisan disputes, with Democrats pushing for an extension of enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act to reduce health insurance costs.
Central Points of Contention
Democrats refused to support any short-term funding bill that excluded the healthcare subsidy extension. Republicans, however, contended that this healthcare debate should be handled separately from government funding, leading to the stalemate. During the shutdown, President Trump took controversial actions, including canceling federal projects and attempting to dismiss federal employees to pressure Democrats.
Impact and Aftermath
The government shutdown caused significant disruption: federal workers endured financial hardship, travelers faced delays due to staffing shortages at airports, and food banks experienced unusually high demand. While some essential services continued, many federal agencies operated with reduced capacity or were temporarily closed.
Moving Forward
The signed bill funds the government through January 30, 2026, and restores operations across federal agencies. However, the political divisions that caused the shutdown remain unresolved. The event has underscored vulnerabilities in US governance and exposed potential risks to global markets and geopolitical stability linked to US domestic policy volatility.