Longest Government Shutdown Ends with Oval Office Signing Ceremony
TL/DR –
The US has ended its longest ever government shutdown after 43 days, with the House of Representatives passing a Senate-negotiated package to reopen and fund the government. The federal government is expected to reopen on Thursday after President Donald Trump signed the resolution, which will keep the government open through January 30 and provide full-year funding for Agriculture, Military Construction-Veterans, and the Legislative branch, reversing layoffs of federal workers caused by the shutdown. However, the deal failed to include an extension of a tax credit which aids Coloradans in purchasing health insurance on the state exchange, potentially causing premiums for 225,000 Coloradans to rise sharply without the credit.
Updated 8:33 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2025
The U.S. House ended the 43-day-long government shutdown with a late-night Oval Office ceremony on Wednesday. The Senate-approved package to fund and reopen the government passed with a 222 to 209 vote, with six Democrats supporting and two Republicans opposing. The resolution was signed by President Donald Trump who stated, “we will never give in to extortion.”
The government is expected to reopen on Thursday after ensuring continued funding for Agriculture, Military Construction-Veterans, and the Legislative branch until January 30. The package will also reverse layoffs of federal workers that happened during the shutdown.
Most Republicans, including Reps. Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, Gabe Evans, and Jeff Hurd voted in favour, stressing that the bill will pay federal workers while ensuring funding for SNAP and other programs. Democratic Reps. Jason Crow, Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse and Brittany Pettersen voted against, arguing for a funding package that includes a tax credit extension for Coloradans to buy health insurance on the state exchange.
The deal did not address the credit, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised to hold a vote on an extension by December 12. House Speaker Mike Johnson made no such assurances. Without the credit, an estimated 225,000 Coloradans could face rising premiums next year.
Meanwhile, Democratic party leaders are trying to get signatures for a premium enhanced tax credit extension. However, even Republicans who support the fix may not back this approach. Earlier this month, a bipartisan group, including Rep. Hurd, proposed to temporarily extend and reform the tax credit for two years.
The funding deal from the Senate was met with bipartisan disapproval for including a clause that allows senators who had their phone records obtained during the investigation into President Trump’s 2020 election results contest to sue the government for up to $500,000. Speaker Johnson has pledged to try to repeal the provision.
The House’s decision, however, is not guaranteed to be accepted by the Senate.
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