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Trump Ends 35-Day Government Shutdown

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, February 4th 2026 at 3:47 GMT by 7News Miami
      Locales: District of Columbia, UNITED STATES

MIAMI - February 4th, 2026 - President Donald Trump signed legislation today ending the longest government shutdown in United States history, a crippling 35-day standoff that paralyzed federal agencies and inflicted significant financial hardship on over 800,000 federal employees. The bill, passed by both chambers of Congress yesterday, provides funding only until February 15th, effectively kicking the can down the road and all but guaranteeing another potential government closure within eleven days.

The immediate crisis has been averted. Federal workers, many of whom were forced to work without pay or were furloughed entirely, will receive back pay and government services will gradually resume. Airports are expected to return to normal operations, tax refund processing will accelerate, and national parks will reopen to the public. The economic impact of the shutdown, estimated to be over $11 billion according to initial assessments from the Congressional Budget Office, is beginning to be tallied. While some of that loss is likely unrecoverable, the reopening offers a critical respite for affected individuals and businesses.

However, the core issue that triggered the shutdown - President Trump's insistence on $5.7 billion in federal funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border - remains stubbornly unresolved. Democrats, now holding the majority in the House of Representatives, continue to vehemently oppose allocating funds for the wall, viewing it as an ineffective and wasteful solution to border security concerns. Speaker of the House, Representative Katherine Ramirez, stated today, "While we are relieved the government is reopening and federal employees are receiving relief, we remain steadfast in our opposition to a wall. We are prepared to negotiate on comprehensive border security measures, but not on a symbolic and costly barrier."

The next eleven days will be crucial. A bipartisan committee has been formed, tasked with forging a compromise that addresses border security while also satisfying the demands of both parties. The committee faces a herculean task. The positions are deeply entrenched, and the political stakes are incredibly high. Sources within the committee suggest initial talks have been fraught with tension, with both sides unwilling to yield significantly on their core principles.

Interestingly, the dynamics within the Republican party itself have shifted since the original shutdown in 2019. While many Republicans initially supported the President's hardline stance, a growing number are expressing concerns about the ongoing disruptions to government services and the political damage caused by repeated shutdowns. Senator Mark Johnson (R-Texas), a key member of the bipartisan committee, admitted, "We need to find a sustainable solution. Constant threats of shutdowns are not good for the country or for our constituents."

Beyond the immediate funding debate, the shutdown has reignited a broader conversation about the budget process itself. Critics argue that the current system, reliant on short-term continuing resolutions and prone to partisan gridlock, is fundamentally broken. Several proposals have been floated to reform the budget process, including automatic spending cuts (sequestration) and a shift towards biennial budgeting. However, these proposals face significant opposition from both sides of the aisle.

The long-term implications of this shutdown extend beyond the federal government. The disruption has highlighted the vulnerability of essential services and the economic consequences of political dysfunction. It has also eroded public trust in government and fueled further polarization. The February 15th deadline looms large, and the nation braces for another potential crisis. Observers are watching closely to see if the bipartisan committee can bridge the divide and avert a repeat of the recent ordeal, or if the country is destined for another cycle of political brinkmanship and government shutdowns.