The longest shutdown in American history ends. After 43 days of closure, the US government reopens: Donald Trump has signed the measure approved by Congress to put an end to the paralysis and resume regular operations. “It should never happen again,” the president said, thanking the Democrats – eight in the Senate and six in the House – who voted with the Republicans.
After the Senate gave the green light thanks to eight Democrats who broke ranks with the party, the Chamber approved the measure with 222 votes in favor and 209 against. The measure finances the government until January 30 and does not include the extension of Obamacare subsidies, at the center of the conflict that has resulted in the halt of government activities. The democrats, however, do not intend to give up. The leader of the liberals in the House, Hakeem Jeffries, assured that the battle will continue. “It’s just getting started,” he said, predicting that Republicans could pay dearly for a missed extension to the 2026 midterms. Without further funding, Americans will “drive them out of office next year,” he noted. Estimates indicate that without an extension, Obamacare premiums will rise by an average of 114%. “Obamacare has been a disaster from the beginning. We would like the money that goes to health insurance to go directly to Americans, so that they can directly purchase their health coverage and become their own managers,” Trump explained, accusing the Democrats of being responsible for the government shutdown: they “wanted the shutdown for political reasons,” he highlighted.
With the reopening of the government, the disruption to air transport should ease. A return to normality will take time, but the feared chaos for the Thanksgiving holidays will be avoided. In fact, flight controllers will gradually return to their posts, allowing the Department of Transportation to remove the limits imposed on air traffic in the major US airports. The government’s reopening will also allow for essential food stamp payments for the 42 million Americans who depend on them.