Oregon — The longest shutdown in U.S. history officially ended when Congress passed funding legislation after 43 days without full government operations. The vote brought sharp partisan commentary as both Republicans and Democrats blamed one another for the disruption.
On November 10, House Speaker Mike Johnson said a breakthrough by eight Senate Democrats to break the filibuster “signals our long national nightmare is finally coming to an end.” He criticized the shutdown as a hostage-taking strategy. Johnson emphasized that the government should not be held “hostage to further anyone’s political agenda.”
According to available reporting, the House vote followed a 60-40 Senate procedural win and moved an amended continuing resolution that will fund the government through January 30, extend SNAP benefits through September 2026, ensure back-pay for federal workers, and include appropriations bills for Military Construction–VA, Agriculture and the Legislative Branch.
That same day, House GOP leadership issued a statement declaring: “The Democrat Shutdown is finally over … 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.” They framed Democrats as having orchestrated the shutdown and delivered nothing in return.
On November 13, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on NBC’s Way Too Early program. He redirected blame toward Republicans, noting that his party “could not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people.” Jeffries pointed to major cuts to Medicaid and lapsing Affordable Care Act tax credits, warning that some Americans could face monthly premium increases of $1,000 or more. He described the Republican approach as “my-way-or-the-highway” and insisted Democrats remain open to bipartisan solutions.
With full government operations now restored, lawmakers turn quickly to negotiating long-term funding solutions before the expiration of the new stop-gap on January 30. The immediate reopening relieves strain on federal workers and agencies, but underlying disputes over healthcare, social spending, and fiscal policy remain unresolved.
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