Shutdown showdown ends: Trump signs deal to reopen government after record 43 days

After a record-breaking 43-day standoff, the federal government is officially back in operation. President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan funding bill late Thursday night, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The House passed the measure earlier in the day by a 222–209 vote, sending it to the president’s desk just hours before another round of missed paychecks for federal workers. The bill funds the government through January 30, 2026, providing temporary relief but leaving major political battles unresolved. University of Minnesota political science professor Kathryn Pearson explains how this happened and what's next.