President Donald Trump concluded the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history by signing a bipartisan funding bill in the Oval Office. The shutdown, which lasted for 43 days, ended following Congress's approval of legislation that provides financial support to several government departments. The signing ceremony, held on November 13, 2025, was attended by top Republican leaders and national business figures.
During the event, President Trump directed criticism at the Democratic Party, holding them responsible for the shutdown. "I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this," he said, emphasizing the significance of the shutdown in the upcoming midterm elections. "Today, we’re sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion, because that’s what it was, they tried to extort, the Democrats tried to extort our country," he added before signing the bill into law.
The president also reiterated his stance on eliminating the Senate filibuster, a move that has historically seen opposition from both parties. The House of Representatives passed the Senate’s funding bill with a vote of 222 to 209. The bill ensures funding for the Departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and military construction projects for the fiscal year 2026, while also extending funding for other federal agencies through January 30, 2026.
Eight Senate Democrats broke ranks to join Republicans in passing the bill, as reported by the Daily Mail. With Republicans holding 53 seats in the Senate, the bill required bipartisan support to reach the necessary 60 votes to advance.
The resolution of the shutdown comes amidst President Trump's defense of the H-1B visa program, which has caused a rift within his political coalition. In a Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham, Trump advocated for the continued use of H-1B visas to bring skilled workers to the U.S. and supported the entry of up to 600,000 Chinese students into the country.
This stance has sparked backlash from some members of his party, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who expressed strong opposition to the replacement of American workers with foreign labor and the influx of foreign students. Anthony Sabatini, a Republican county commissioner in Florida, also voiced concerns about the potential impact of these policies on the 2026 midterm elections.
The shutdown and its conclusion have significant implications for the American political landscape and the functioning of the government. The funding bill's passage reflects the complex interplay of party politics, policy priorities, and the challenges of governance.
