Government Shutdown: What's Next for Workers and Services?

The U. S. government shutdown, the longest in history, is about to end. The House is set to vote on a spending bill that the Senate already passed. President Trump supports this deal, and if it passes, federal services and agencies will reopen right away. This bill keeps the government running until January 2026. Some agencies, like the Department of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, will get funding for the rest of the fiscal year. SNAP benefits, which help people buy food, will be fully funded until September 2026. Once the bill is signed, SNAP recipients will get their benefits right away. During the shutdown, courts ordered the government to pay these benefits, but the Supreme Court put a pause on that. Around 670, 000 federal workers were sent home without pay during the shutdown. They will go back to work once the bill is signed. Essential workers, like TSA staff and air traffic controllers, worked without pay. The bill also reverses any layoffs and ensures all furloughed workers get back pay. Air traffic controllers faced a tough time. The shortage was so bad that flights were cut by 10% at 40 airports. Some controllers even quit. The Department of Transportation says controllers will get 70% of their back pay within 24 to 48 hours of reopening. Trump suggested a $10, 000 bonus for those who didn't take time off, but it's unclear how that will happen. It's not clear how long it will take for flights to return to normal. Trump said things will be "better than normal, " but he didn't talk about the staffing issues. Democrats wanted Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in the deal, but they weren't included. These subsidies help people afford health insurance. If no deal is reached, premiums will go up for over 20 million Americans. Senate Republicans promised a vote on ACA-related bills in December, but House Speaker Mike Johnson didn't commit to holding a vote.