The Democratic Party faces criticism as Donald Trump signs a bill to conclude the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
President Trump finalized the bill on Wednesday evening (November 12), accusing Democrats of attempting to ‘extort our country’.
The shutdown, which started on October 1, caused a significant halt in government operations.
Key consequences included halted salaries for federal employees, suspended benefits for millions, and disruptions in domestic flights.
The 43-day shutdown began when Republicans and Democrats couldn’t reach an agreement on a new funding bill for government services, following the expiration of the previous federal budget.
The previous shutdown, lasting 35 days from 2018 to 2019, also took place during Donald Trump’s presidency.
The impasse was finally resolved after a week of votes.
On Monday (November 10), nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats who broke ranks voted 60-40 to pass the bill.
The House of Representatives passed it with a 222-209 vote on Wednesday, after which President Trump signed it.
Following Trump’s signing, the House Republican leadership released a statement.
They stated: “The Democrat shutdown is finally over thanks to House and Senate Republicans.
“There is absolutely no question now that Democrats are responsible for millions of American families going hungry, millions of travelers left stranded in airports, and our troops left wondering if they would receive their next paycheck.”
The new agreement extends federal government funding until January 30, while providing full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture, military construction, and Congress.
All federal employees are to be compensated for the shutdown period, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), aiding one in eight Americans with food support, will be funded through next September.
The package includes a commitment to vote in December on extending healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly called Obamacare, which are set to expire this year.
These ACA tax credits help millions afford health insurance via the government marketplace, a crucial Democratic demand before agreeing to new funding.
Democrats expressed disappointment over the immediate non-extension of the ACA subsidies, creating uncertainty until the December vote.
Before the House vote, Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pledged to continue advocating for the subsidies’ extension.
“This fight is not over. We’re just getting started. Either Republicans finally decide to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits this year, or the American people will throw Republicans out of their jobs next year and end the speakership of Donald J Trump once and for all,” he declared. “That’s how this fight ends.”