After weeks of uncertainty and disruption, the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history has finally come to an end.

On October 1, Washington Democrats triggered the shutdown after rejecting a bipartisan plan that would have kept the government open. The stalemate dragged on for 43 days before Congress ultimately approved a bipartisan funding bill, allowing federal agencies and services to begin returning to normal operations.

The shutdown had far-reaching consequences. More than 600,000 federal employees were furloughed, leaving families across the nation, and here in Illinois, without paychecks. Farmers were left waiting for critical federal assistance, travelers endured delays and service disruptions, and countless Illinoisans were forced to navigate stalled federal programs during the weeks-long impasse.

Senate Republicans says the dysfunction was senseless and avoidable, arguing that the shutdown served no purpose other than inflicting hardship on families, workers, and communities. They noted that Democrats could have prevented the crisis entirely had leaders been willing to accept bipartisan solutions at the outset.

The newly approved funding bill reopens the federal government and keeps it operating through January 30, 2026.