Trump Signs Funding Bill; Ends Government Shutdown

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has ended after President Donald Trump signed a federal spending bill shortly after it cleared the House. Trump said his signature signalled the return of normal government operations and that his administration, along with Congress, would now focus on cutting living costs, improving safety, strengthening the economy, and ensuring affordability for all Americans.

The shutdown, which began on October 1, had brought essential government services to a standstill. Trump’s move clears the way for federal employees to return to work as early as Thursday, though it remains unclear how soon full operations will resume. In Wednesday’s House vote, 222 lawmakers, including six Democrats, supported the measure, while 209 opposed it, among them two Republicans.

The shutdown’s end has raised hopes for the stabilisation of air travel and the resumption of key economic data releases. The delay in reporting left investors, policymakers, and households uncertain about jobs, inflation, and consumer spending. Officials have warned that some of the lost data, including the October employment and Consumer Price Index reports, may never be recovered.