US President Donald Trump has signed a bill to end the longest government shutdown in history. Earlier, the US House of Representatives approved an emergency spending bill to restart food assistance programs, pay millions of federal employees and restore damaged air traffic control systems.
The Republican-majority House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 222-209. Trump’s party was largely united in his support. But Democrats in the lower house strongly opposed it. They were angry that their colleagues in the Senate, who had been stalling for a long time, had failed to reach a deal to extend federal health insurance subsidies.
Trump’s signing of the bill will allow federal workers who have been on strike during the 43-day shutdown to return to work on Thursday. But how quickly the full government will return to normal is still uncertain.
“We can’t let this happen again,” Trump said at a late-night signing ceremony at the White House, as he lashed out at Democrats.
However, the legislation would extend government funding through January 30, paving the way for about $1.8 trillion in new debt each year to the nation’s $38 trillion debt.
The end of the shutdown has raised hopes for the recovery of vital U.S. air travel services, especially with the Thanksgiving travel season just two weeks away. At the same time, the resumption of food assistance for millions of families could boost their spending capacity during the holiday shopping season.
However, the White House said some data gaps may never be filled. In particular, the October employment and consumer price index (CPI) reports may not be released.
