President Trump signed the bill that ended a 43-day federal shutdown, returning paychecks and services while Congress put a temporary funding patch in place to keep the government open into early 2026.

President Donald Trump signed the measure late Wednesday, concluding what became the longest federal shutdown in modern memory. The text accompanying the action shows H.R. 5371 cleared Congress by recorded votes and now carries funding that extends operations through January 30, 2026. The move restored normal operations for many agencies and removed the uncertainty that had snarled travel plans, benefits and daily life.

The bill’s provisions include dedicated appropriations for mental health and suicide prevention programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs, reflecting a priority for veterans’ care. It also secures key safety-net nutrition programs; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is funded through the period, and the Women, Infants, and Children program is covered through September 2026. Officials are emphasizing that SNAP supports roughly 42 million Americans who depend on reliable access to food.

With agency budgets stabilized, federal employees who were furloughed or forced to work without pay will receive compensation and benefits will resume for beneficiaries who had faced disruption. The short-term funding approach buys lawmakers breathing room to negotiate longer-term appropriations and policy decisions on spending priorities. Republican leaders framed the deal as a necessary fix to stop the economic and human costs of a prolonged lapse in funding.

U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-MI, thanked the eight Senate Democratic lawmakers who helped end the shutdown. “Tonight, we ended the longest government shutdown in American history after 43 days of unnecessary suffering for the American people,” Barrett said in a statement.

“Thanks to eight Senate Democrats who were willing to work across the aisle, our troops and federal employees who were furloughed or forced to work without a paycheck will be taken care of. Families who rely on SNAP benefits no longer need to worry about where their next meal will come from, and Americans can once again travel with confidence as we head into the holiday season. With this disappointing chapter behind us, I look forward to tackling the runaway cost of health care and other issues that are top of mind for families across Michigan and the United States.”

The practical effects are immediate: airports, national parks and federal offices returned to routine staffing levels and service windows reopened. Small businesses that had felt the ripple effects of delayed permits and contracts can move forward with projects that stalled during the shutdown. Military families and civilian staff relieved to regain paychecks got a clear sign that elected leaders ultimately prioritized finishing the job of funding the government.

Lawmakers face fresh deadlines now, and the temporary funding window forces action before the spring of 2026 on broader budget choices. Conservative voices are pressing for controls on spending growth and scrutiny of long-term commitments in exchange for their support of any future bills. The GOP will argue the next stretch of negotiations must focus on fiscal restraint and on preventing recurring shutdown threats through clearer priorities.

Outside the halls of Congress, advocates for veterans and social safety-net programs welcomed the targeted funding for mental health and nutrition. Policy wonks and agency officials say the bridge funding gives program managers time to stabilize service delivery and plan for the next fiscal cycle without scrambling to bridge immediate shortfalls. That operational certainty matters to local offices that actually process benefits and manage care.

Political fallout will continue to play out as members of both parties stake their claims about responsibility and credit. For now, the most visible result is restored pay and services for millions and an end to the daily uncertainty that marked the last six weeks. America won tonight and we are open