Federal Government Reopens After Record Shutdown
The federal government is back open after a historic 43-day shutdown, ending when President Donald Trump signed a short-term funding bill late Wednesday. The measure, passed by the House in a 222-209 vote, keeps agencies running through Jan. 30.
Federal workers are returning to their offices, national parks and landmarks are reopening, and data agencies are resuming key economic reports. But the ripple effects of the nation’s longest shutdown are far from over.
Lingering Impacts for Families and Workers
Despite the restart, flight delays and cancellations are expected to continue this week as airports work through staffing shortages. Millions of Americans are also waiting for delayed food assistance, and federal employees still need their backpay after more than a month without wages.
SNAP Recipients Brace for Harder Holidays
SNAP recipients are struggling to secure enough food heading into the holiday season, according to a new CouponFollow survey. About 72% of participants said they worry they won’t have enough to feed their families.
“This is a systemic challenge, not a seasonal one,” said Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at CouponFollow, noting families are facing reduced budgets and long-term instability.
Another Shutdown Fight Looms
Lawmakers now have less than three months to avoid another government funding lapse. The next deadline on Jan. 30 arrives just weeks after Affordable Care Act subsidies expire at the end of 2025 — sparking another political clash over health care costs.
Any deal on extending the subsidies would face steep challenges in both chambers, and possibly a veto fight.
Federal Backpay Could Arrive This Weekend
A senior Trump administration official said agencies expect to begin issuing backpay between Nov. 15–19, though exact dates vary by department. The initial payments will cover missed wages through Nov. 1, with the rest included in future paychecks.
Shutdown Cost Economy Billions, White House Says
The White House estimates the shutdown slowed the national economy by 1% to 1.5%, costing around 60,000 non-federal jobs, according to economic adviser Kevin Hassett. He said the administration is still working to ease grocery and household costs for Americans.
HUD Restores Services After Weeks of Delays
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner said the department is immediately resuming programs aiding seniors, repairing lead hazards, and reviewing reverse mortgages — tasks that piled up during the funding lapse. Public housing authorities serving 4 million families narrowly avoided losing aid.
Turner called the shutdown “needless” and said HUD will work quickly to restore stability.
Furloughed Workers Ordered Back to the Office
The Office of Management and Budget directed agencies to reopen and furloughed staff — about 750,000 workers — to return starting Nov. 13, according to guidance sent Wednesday.
Trump Blames Democrats as He Signs Funding Bill
At the bill signing, Trump criticized Democrats for the shutdown and thanked the eight Senate Democrats who broke ranks to approve the deal. The bill guarantees only a December Senate vote on ACA subsidies, not an extension.
House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to commit to taking up subsidy legislation, saying Republicans want broader reforms.
Flight Disruptions Could Continue
Even with the shutdown over, airports expect continued delays due to staffing gaps in both TSA and air traffic control. Flight reductions at 40 major airports remain at 6%, with the DOT saying it won’t increase cuts for now due to improved attendance.
SNAP Benefits Expected to Restart Quickly
The USDA said most states should resume SNAP payments within 24 hours of the government reopening. At least 16 states already released full benefits over the weekend, with others issuing partial payments.
Most states should be able to resume full benefits within three days once authorized, according to the American Public Human Services Association.
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
