WASHINGTON, NOV 13 — President Donald Trump on Wednesday night signed a long-delayed government funding bill, ending a record 43-day shutdown that left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay, disrupted air travel, and caused long lines at food banks across the country.
The move came just hours after the House of Representatives approved the measure on a 222-209 vote, largely along party lines. The Senate had passed it earlier in the week, paving the way for Trump’s signature.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Republican president blamed Democrats for the shutdown, saying they refused to compromise over an extension of health care subsidies. “I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this,” Trump said. “When we come up to midterms and other things, don’t forget what they’ve done to our country.”
The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, deepened partisan divides as Trump took unprecedented steps — including cancelling projects and attempting to dismiss federal employees — in an effort to pressure Democrats into dropping their demands.
Democrats had insisted on including an extension of enhanced tax credits that lower the cost of health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans argued that the issue should be debated separately.
“We told you 43 days ago from bitter experience that government shutdowns don’t work,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “They never achieve the objective that you announce. And guess what? You haven’t achieved that objective yet, and you’re not going to.”
The House debate that preceded the vote reflected the frustration of lawmakers after six weeks of gridlock. Republican leaders accused Democrats of exploiting public hardship to win a policy battle. “They knew it would cause pain and they did it anyway,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Democrats countered that Republicans had already pushed through tax breaks earlier this year that benefited the wealthy, while ignoring working families. “This bill leaves families twisting in the wind with zero guarantee there will ever, ever be a vote to extend tax credits to help everyday people pay for their health care,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed that Democrats would keep fighting to extend the health care subsidies. “This fight is not over,” he said. “We’re just getting started.”
The House had not met in legislative session since September 19, when it passed a short-term spending measure to keep the government open. Johnson had placed responsibility on the Senate to act, saying House Republicans had done their part.
The new legislation funds three key annual spending bills and extends funding for the rest of the government through January 30. It also reinstates federal workers dismissed during the shutdown and guarantees back pay.
The package allocates $203.5 million to strengthen security for lawmakers and $28 million for Supreme Court justices. It also protects food assistance programs under the Agriculture Department for the remainder of the fiscal year.
A last-minute provision allows senators to sue federal agencies or employees who search their electronic records without notice, with potential damages of up to $500,000. The clause, reportedly aimed at aiding Republican senators seeking damages related to FBI investigations into Trump’s 2020 election efforts, drew bipartisan criticism.
“That was dropped in at the last minute, and I did not appreciate that,” Johnson said. “Nor did most of the House members.”
The fight over the expiring enhanced tax credit — which Democrats say makes health insurance more affordable — remains unresolved. Republicans argue the subsidy was intended only for the pandemic era.
“It’s a subsidy on top of a subsidy,” Cole said. “Our friends added it during COVID. COVID is over.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the tax credit helped expand health care access. “All they have done is try to eliminate access to health care in our country,” Pelosi said.
Without the extension, average premiums are expected to more than double, and over two million Americans could lose coverage next year, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
It remains uncertain whether Congress will reach a bipartisan deal before the Senate’s December vote on extending the tax credit. Some Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, said they might support an extension if income caps are added.
House Democrats expressed skepticism. “Republicans have wanted to repeal the health overhaul for the past 15 years,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. “That’s where they’re trying to go.”
