President Donald Trump has officially signed a funding bill to re-open the federal government, ending the longest shutdown in American history. The measure, passed by the House this evening, restores funding for federal agencies and addresses the economic fallout from the extended closure.
The legislation highlights the damage caused by the shutdown, including $1.5 trillion in economic losses, 20,000 flights delayed or cancelled, and 1 million government workers who went seven weeks without a paycheck. Millions of Americans also faced cut-off food stamps during the crisis.
The bill funds the government through January and does not include provisions for Obamacare or healthcare for illegal aliens. However, the Senate added a promise to vote on the Obamacare extension in December.
Trump’s signature came after the House voted 222-209, with six Democrats joining nearly all Republicans in supporting the measure. The Senate approved the same legislation Monday, with eight Democrats voting with Republicans to end the shutdown.
The legislative package includes a “minibus” of three appropriations bills, providing funding through next September and keeping the rest of the government open at current levels through Jan. 30. It fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports more than 40 million Americans, and reinstates thousands of government employees laid off during the shutdown.
The bill also ensures no further reductions in force (RIFs) for federal workers through the end of January and provides back pay for those furloughed or working without pay over the past six weeks. However, it does not extend enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, leaving more than 20 million Americans facing potential premium increases next year.
With the government now re-opened, Trump continues to demand that Senate Republicans end the filibuster, stating, “We should be able to pass great legislation. TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER.”
