The US government reopened on Wednesday after being shut down for 43 days, the longest closure in American history. President Donald Trump signed a funding bill approved by both the Senate and House of Representatives, ending weeks of political gridlock.
The House passed the bill 222–209, with a few Democrats supporting it and two Republicans opposing it. The shutdown had left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay and disrupted airport operations, public offices, and social services.
President Trump said the deal “sends a clear message that we will never give in to extortion” and added that it was “an honour to get our country working again.”
The budget deadlock began over a dispute about health insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democrats wanted to extend these credits, saying their expiry would raise insurance costs and affect millions of Americans.
Economists estimate the shutdown cost the US economy around $11 billion, some of which may never be recovered.
With the new bill in place, federal workers will soon receive back pay, and all government departments are returning to normal operations. However, debates over healthcare funding and budget priorities are expected to continue in Congress.
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