The U.S. government is set to resume operations on Thursday following the resolution of the longest shutdown in U.S. history, which lasted 43 days and severely disrupted various sectors. This shutdown caused significant havoc, including air traffic delays, loss of food assistance for low-income Americans, and over a million federal workers going unpaid for an extended period.
Despite the reopening, the political schisms that initiated the shutdown remain largely unaddressed. The new funding package lacks sufficient measures to prevent President Donald Trump from restricting spending, something his administration has frequently contested against Congress’ spending authority. Furthermore, the deal does not resolve the looming expiration of health subsidies that were pivotal in prompting Senate Democrats to instigate the shutdown.
Internal tensions within the Democratic Party have also come to light, highlighting a division between the liberal factions urging more aggressive action against Trump and the moderates who feel constrained as long as Republicans dominate both chambers of Congress. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has faced criticism and calls for his resignation, despite his opposition to the funding deal.
Approximately 1.4 million federal employees, who endured the shutdown without pay, are expected to receive their back pay starting Saturday, with all payments finalized by Wednesday. Although there were concerns that some payments might be withheld, the White House has indicated there will be no such delays. During the shutdown, Trump made contentious decisions to terminate several thousand workers, but the funding agreement guarantees that these employees will retain their positions, requiring agencies to reverse their dismissals within five days.
While the funding deal temporarily halts Trump’s broader efforts to downsize the federal workforce—projected to cut 300,000 positions by the end of the year—it is a fragile peace as the underlying issues continue to provoke political friction.
This situation mirrors the challenges faced during earlier shutdowns, reminding everyone of the substantial impact that political disagreements can have on essential services and the workforce. As Congress moves forward, there is a collective hope that constructive dialogue can lead to resolutions that prioritize both effective governance and the livelihoods of the millions affected by such shutdowns.
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