US government shutdown ends after 43 days

Photo: lucky-photo via AdobeStock

The agreement, approved by Congress just hours before the President signed it, funds government operations through 30 January 2026 under a stopgap measure.

The House passed the measure by a vote of 222–209 and approved three full-year appropriations bills covering the Legislative Branch; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.

The shutdown began in October and lasted 43 days, after lawmakers failed to agree on a series of appropriations bills, leaving large parts of the federal government without the authority to operate.

The impasse stemmed from disputes between Democrats and Republicans over key policy provisions tied to the budget, including healthcare subsidies and broader spending measures.

As a result, thousands of federal workers were furloughed or required to work without pay, leading to significant disruptions across public services.

Under the deal, employees furloughed or required to work without pay will receive back pay and return to work.

President Trump said: “Federal government will now resume normal operations, and my administration and our partners in Congress will continue our work to lower the cost of living, restore public safety, grow our economy, and make America affordable again.”

Impact on construction and infrastructure

Commenting on the deal, the Associated General Contractors of America said it was “good news for construction”.

The Association said: “The longer this government shutdown lasted, the more projects that could face delays that required approvals or interactions with agencies, such as environmental review and permitting decisions.

“Because the shutdown lasted so long, contractors could still see residual project delays as a result.”

The shutdown’s impact on federal infrastructure projects was already being felt before the government reopened.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) froze nearly US$18 billion in reimbursements for New York’s Second Avenue Subway and the Hudson Tunnel in October while it reviewed whether the state’s contracting practices comply with new federal nondiscrimination rules.

USDOT said the review would be conducted “quickly” to avoid project delays, but added that furloughs among civil rights staff during the shutdown could slow the process.