Shutdown ends: Feds back Thursday; back pay by Nov. 19 as LIHEAP restarts
President Trump signed a stopgap funding bill ending the 43‑day shutdown, OPM directed federal employees to return Thursday and agencies will issue back pay in four tranches beginning by Nov. 19 while the measure reverses shutdown‑era firings and bars new layoffs through January. The package restarts programs including SNAP, releases $3.6 billion in LIHEAP heating aid to states and tribes, and extends funding through Jan. 30, though SNAP and other benefits may take days or longer to reach recipients and a separate vote on ACA premium subsidies is expected in December.
📌 Key Facts
- The 43-day federal government shutdown ended after Congress passed a stopgap continuing resolution and President Trump signed it; the Senate first advanced the measure on a 60–40 vote and the House passed it 222–209.
- The continuing resolution extends funding through Jan. 30, 2026, includes three full‑year appropriations (Agriculture, Military Construction–VA, and the Legislative Branch), reverses shutdown‑era firings and Reduction‑in‑Force (RIF) actions, bars new RIFs while the CR is in effect, and guarantees back pay for furloughed employees.
- Federal employees were directed by OPM to return to work on Thursday; back pay is to be issued in four tranches by Nov. 19 (agency timing varies) and OMB said a 'supercheck' covering Oct. 1–Nov. 1 would begin around Nov. 15 for some workers.
- The package unlocks full‑year SNAP funding (through Sept. 2026) and the USDA said SNAP funds could be available to states within 24 hours for most, but states face a patchwork of pre‑shutdown partial payments, EBT‑loading technical hurdles, and may take several days to a week (or longer for some) to complete November restorations.
- $3.6 billion in LIHEAP winter heating assistance was released to states and tribes (including Minnesota and tribal governments); HHS will administer awards but state payments could take until mid‑December or longer to flow, according to NEADA estimates.
- The funding bill did not extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits; Democrats strongly opposed the omission, warning premiums could spike for millions, while GOP leaders pledged a mid‑December/second‑week‑of‑December vote on subsidy legislation with no guarantee it will pass.
- A small bipartisan group of senators brokered the deal (eight Democrats joined Republicans to advance it); moderate Democrats had floated reopening now for a promise of a later health‑care vote, and negotiations were politically contentious throughout, including threats and court fights over SNAP access.
- The shutdown produced widespread operational and economic impacts — notably threats to U.S. air travel from controller pay disruptions, airlines and travelers facing delays/cancellations, DHS awarding TSA bonuses for high attendance, and an estimated economic cost of roughly $15 billion per week (CEA estimate).
📰 Sources (25)
Long-awaited $3.6B in heating assistance released to states and tribes
New information:
- $3.6 billion in federal LIHEAP heating assistance has been formally released to states and tribes.
- Confirms concrete funding availability after prior reports that LIHEAP would restart following the shutdown.
- Applies to Minnesota and tribal governments, supporting winter heating aid for eligible residents.
You can end a shutdown overnight — but you can’t reopen a government that fast
New information:
- OPM directed federal employees to return to work Thursday with normal operating procedures in effect.
- Back pay is scheduled to be issued by Nov. 19 in four tranches, varying by agency.
- HHS said it will work swiftly to administer annual LIHEAP awards; NEADA’s Mark Wolfe estimates payments could take until mid‑December or longer to flow.
- Article reiterates that FAA controller shortages led to ordered airline flight reductions during the shutdown, contributing to traveler disruptions.
Air travel, SNAP benefits, back pay at issue as federal government slowly reopens
New information:
- OMB says federal employees will receive back pay 'expeditiously,' including a 'supercheck' covering Oct. 1–Nov. 1 beginning around Nov. 15 (agency timing varies).
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is awarding $10,000 bonuses to TSA workers with high attendance during the shutdown and began distributing checks in Houston.
- White House CEA Director Kevin Hassett estimated the shutdown cost the economy about $15 billion per week.
Republicans promised health care negotiations after the shutdown, but Democrats are wary
New information:
- House Speaker Mike Johnson called the ACA subsidies a "boondoggle" and President Trump called the ACA a "disaster" after the shutdown bill signing.
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen says Senate Republicans (via John Thune) committed to drafting a mid‑December bill and "serious effort" to extend credits; Democrats remain skeptical.
- Senate Democrats floated a one‑year extension plus a bipartisan committee during the shutdown; Thune rejected it as a "nonstarter."
- House Democrats have proposed a three‑year extension; no House commitment from Johnson.
- Up to 24 million exchange enrollees could see premiums rise Jan. 1 if credits expire.
States scramble to send full SNAP food benefits to millions of people after government shutdown ends
New information:
- USDA indicated SNAP funds could be available to states within 24 hours of reopening, though loading to EBT cards varies by state.
- Examples of state timelines: West Virginia expects full November benefits by Friday; Illinois plans to complete restorations by Nov. 20; Colorado is switching from partial to full payments as early as Thursday; Missouri awaits USDA guidance to finish November payouts.
- AP notes a patchwork of distributions before reopening, with about two‑thirds of states having issued only partial or no benefits.
President Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43-day disruption for country
New information:
- President Trump signed the funding bill Wednesday night, officially ending the 43‑day shutdown.
- House passed the measure 222–209; the Senate had passed it Monday.
- Funding for remaining agencies is extended through Jan. 30; three full‑year bills are enacted.
- Bill reverses shutdown‑period firings, protects federal workers from layoffs through January, and guarantees back pay.
- USDA/food assistance programs are funded for the rest of the budget year; $203.5 million included to boost lawmaker security.
- Republicans pledged a mid‑December vote on ACA marketplace subsidy extensions; no guarantee of passage.
- Deal was brokered by eight senators after Democrats’ subsidy extension was excluded.
The timeline for SNAP benefits remains uncertain, even after Congress agrees to end the shutdown
New information:
- The House adopted the plan to reopen government and restart SNAP and sent it to President Trump for signature.
- USDA says SNAP funds could be available 'within 24 hours for most states' once government reopens; some states may take longer.
- AP tally: at least 19 states and D.C. issued full November SNAP benefits to some recipients during a brief court‑ordered window before a Supreme Court stay.
- Operational outlook: many states can issue full benefits within about three days after the go‑ahead, while some could take up to a week; states that issued no November benefits yet may be quickest.
- Technical complication: states that already issued partial benefits may face hurdles loading the remaining amounts onto EBT cards.
Government to reopen after 43 days: US House sends bill to Trump ending record shutdown
New information:
- House vote was 222–209; the White House said President Trump will sign the bill at 9:45 p.m. ET on Nov. 12.
- The Senate‑reworked package is 394 pages, folds in three full‑year appropriations bills, and extends the CR to Jan. 30 (from Nov. 21).
- List of cross‑party House votes: Democrats Henry Cuellar, Don Davis, Jared Golden, Adam Gray, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and Tom Suozzi voted for passage; Republicans Thomas Massie and Greg Steube voted against.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune pledged a floor vote on a Democratic health‑care bill by the second week of December.
- Quotations framing the debate: Appropriations Chair Tom Cole said shutdowns 'never change the outcome'; Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro warned premiums could double or triple for more than 20 million Americans.
House returns for vote to end the government shutdown after nearly 2 months away
New information:
- House returns after nearly eight weeks away; vote scheduled Wednesday and Speaker Mike Johnson may need near‑perfect GOP attendance due to expected Democratic opposition.
- The bill reverses firings of federal workers during the shutdown, protects against further layoffs through January, and guarantees back pay.
- Full‑year funding for the Agriculture Department is included, ensuring key food assistance programs continue without interruption through the rest of the budget year.
- Democrats oppose the measure because it omits an extension of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits; eight Senate Democrats broke with their caucus to advance the bill.
- Shutdown is at Day 43; potential travel delays tied to the shutdown could complicate House attendance.
US Senate on verge of passing bill to end record-breaking shutdown, House up next
New information:
- Senate expected to hold final passage vote before midnight on Nov. 10 to end the record-length shutdown.
- President Trump said he will 'abide by the deal' and highlighted reinstatement of thousands of federal workers who received layoff notices.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson told members to return to D.C. immediately for a House vote once the Senate sends the bill, citing flight delays/cancellations and unpaid, overworked air traffic controllers.
- Trump separately posted that air traffic controllers must return 'NOW,' threatened to 'dock' those who took time off, and floated $10,000 bonuses for those who did not — adding pressure amid MSP and national disruptions.
- The stopgap extends funding through Jan. 30, giving Congress time to finish remaining full‑year appropriations.
The shutdown could end this week. Here’s what that might mean for Minnesotans.
New information:
- Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith did not support the emerging legislation, citing concerns over delayed ACA tax-credit action.
- The Senate was close to a vote Monday with House action still required; the package includes back pay for furloughed federal workers.
- The deal would fund SNAP through September 2026.
Speaker Johnson says House will return to Washington for voting on shutdown deal
New information:
- Speaker Mike Johnson told House members to return to Washington “right now” to take up the shutdown-ending package.
- The 60–40 Senate procedural vote followed switches by a small group of Democrats; three named were Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Independent Angus King.
- John Thune reaffirmed a mid-December vote on ACA subsidies while noting outstanding GOP concerns, including a potential Rand Paul objection over a hemp-products provision.
- President Trump has not committed to signing but said the shutdown’s end appears close.
What’s in the legislation to end the federal government shutdown
New information:
- Package explicitly ensures states will be reimbursed for money spent to keep SNAP and WIC running during the shutdown.
- Confirms three full‑year appropriations attached: agriculture and military construction/Veterans Affairs (VA) among them.
- Notes eight Democrats joined Republicans on the 60–40 procedural vote; Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer voted no.
- Sets timeline: Senate could pass the bill as soon as Monday; House members told to prepare to return.
- Guarantees a December vote on ACA subsidy extension rather than resolving it in this bill.
- Includes back pay assurance for furloughed federal workers after prior uncertainty.
Klobuchar, Smith vote against proposal to reopen federal government after historic shutdown
New information:
- Confirms Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith voted against advancing the continuing resolution.
- Provides Klobuchar’s direct quote: she opposed the bill because it did not prevent premium spikes for Minnesotans.
- Lists the specific Democrats who crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans (Durbin, Hassan, Rosen, Fetterman, Shaheen, Cortez Masto, Kaine) and notes independent Angus King’s vote and GOP Sen. Rand Paul’s 'no' vote.
- Cites assurance from Senate Majority Leader John Thune about scheduling a vote on ACA subsidies and rehiring furloughed federal workers.
End to government shutdown in sight after senators make funding deal
New information:
- Senate voted 60–40 to advance a shutdown-ending continuing resolution Sunday night.
- Republican leaders promised a vote on extending the enhanced ACA Premium Tax Credits as part of the deal.
- The CR is paired with a minibus covering three FY2026 appropriations: MILCON–VA; Agriculture/FDA/Rural Development; and the Legislative Branch.
- Deal language includes reversing some Trump administration Reduction-in-Force (RIF) actions during the shutdown and bars new RIFs while the CR is in effect.
- CR would extend funding through Jan. 30 to avoid a December omnibus and allow time for regular-order appropriations.
- On-record quotes from Sens. Dick Durbin and John Fetterman acknowledging the deal and its impacts.
Senate moves toward compromise legislation to end government shutdown
New information:
- The Senate voted 60–40 to advance the compromise bill to reopen the government, with eight Democrats joining Republicans.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune committed to a December vote on extending ACA premium subsidies, though the current bill does not include the extension.
- Sen. Tim Kaine highlighted language reversing shutdown-era layoffs and guaranteeing back pay for furloughed employees.
- Both of Minnesota’s U.S. senators voted against advancing the measure.
Minnesota’s U.S. senators call potential deal ‘a mistake’ as Senate votes on plan to end shutdown
New information:
- Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith both oppose the emerging Senate deal because it omits an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies.
- Klobuchar warned premiums could double for many Minnesotans and said she voted against the bill.
- Smith stated she will not support the bill, calling it a mistake for failing to help Americans afford health care.
- Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan also criticized the deal publicly, urging Democrats not to accept it without health-care concessions.
Deal to end shutdown gains traction in US Senate as vote nears
New information:
- Senate leaders released text of a stopgap funding bill to keep the government open until Jan. 30.
- The deal would reinstate all federal employees fired during the shutdown with back pay and bar further layoffs until the CR expires.
- Package includes three FY2026 full-year appropriations (agriculture, veterans/military construction, and Congress).
- Unlocks full-year funding for SNAP (serving ~42 million Americans).
- No ACA subsidy extension in the bill; GOP leaders commit to a separate vote by the second week of December.
- Positions from key lawmakers: Sens. Blumenthal, Van Hollen, Baldwin, Schumer, and Rep. Andy Kim say they’ll vote no; Sen. Tim Kaine supports; Minnesota U.S. Rep. Angie Craig says she’d vote no in the House.
Trump signals no shutdown compromise with Democrats as senators hold a rare weekend session
New information:
- Senate holds a rare weekend session for the first time since the shutdown began to seek a bipartisan resolution.
- President Trump publicly rejects Democrats’ demand to extend ACA tax credits, suggesting direct payments instead.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Trump's proposal won’t be part of an immediate solution but keeps Senate in session until shutdown ends, aiming for a vote as soon as possible.
- Moderate Democrats, led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, float a plan to reopen government now with only a promise of a later vote on ACA subsidies, not a guarantee.
- Talks include funding select parts of government (food aid, veterans programs, legislative branch) and extending the rest into December or January.
- Republican leaders need approximately five more votes; the moderate Democratic group has ranged from 10–12 senators.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson declines to commit to a future health care vote; some Republicans open to subsidy extensions but with tighter eligibility limits.
Longest government shutdown in history continues as Klobuchar stands by Schumer plan
New information:
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer offered to end the shutdown if Republicans back a one-year extension of ACA subsidies.
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar backed Schumer’s offer on the Senate floor, calling it 'a practical plan.'
- Senate Republicans publicly rejected the offer, framing it as '$35 billion next year to insurance companies' with 'no fraud controls.'
- A potential 15th Senate vote on the GOP CR was uncertain as of Friday, with talk of amending it to extend funding into January.
- President Trump urged ending the Senate filibuster to pass funding with a simple majority; Majority Leader John Thune said there aren’t enough votes to do so.
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