The longest federal government shutdown in United States history, a gruelling 43-day period of gridlock and uncertainty, finally concluded on Thursday. US President Donald Trump signed a funding bill, bringing a much-needed sigh of relief to hundreds of thousands of federal employees, millions of Americans dependent on food assistance, and travellers across the nation who faced widespread flight disruptions.
An End to the Standoff
In a clear message directed at political opponents, President Donald Trump stated, "Today we are sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion." He further urged his supporters not to forget the events leading to the shutdown as they approach future political contests. Trump confirmed that with his signature, the federal government would now resume its normal operations.
According to reports, federal agencies and the Department of Health and Human Service have immediately asked their staff members to return to work. This move affects a massive workforce, including over 6,70,000 furloughed civil servants who are now reporting back to their duties.
Immediate Impact and Lingering Concerns
While the shutdown is officially over, the emotional and economic toll, along with its ripple effects, are far from over. Federal employees are returning, and agencies are scrambling to resume services, but critical questions about back pay, delayed benefits, and the full normalization of flight operations remain.
Over 60,000 air traffic controllers and airport security staff are set to receive their back pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that authorities aim to lift flight reductions at major airports within a week. However, aviation experts caution that flight schedules will not immediately return to normal.
American Airlines expressed relief, stating they are already seeing significantly fewer air traffic control staffing shortages, leading to reduced delays. Similarly, Delta Airlines said it looks forward to bringing its operations back to full capacity over the next few days.
The Road to Recovery: Pay, Benefits, and Backlogs
The process of recovery involves addressing several critical areas:
Employee Pay: Sean Duffy announced that air traffic controllers would receive approximately 70% of their missed pay within 24 to 48 hours, with the remainder following about a week later. While a 2019 law mandates retroactive pay for all furloughed workers, Jacqueline Simon of the American Federation of Government Employees warned that processing could take longer as many HR staff were also furloughed.
SNAP Benefits: For the 42 million Americans relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), benefits are expected to be fully restored within hours of the government reopening, according to reports. Many states had used emergency funds to maintain benefits during the impasse.
Government Backlogs: The shutdown's impact will be felt for months. Gibson Jones of the National Treasury Employees Union warned that backlogs in tax filings at the IRS could take two to three months to catch up. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also faces delays, as it will take days to get labs used for preventing food-borne illnesses fully operational again.
Despite the reopening, the nation now faces the lengthy task of healing from the extensive disruption caused by the historic shutdown.
