Quick answer — Is the government open?
Yes. As of November 12, 2025, the U.S. federal government has been reopened after a funding bill passed Congress and was signed by the President. That vote and signature ended a shutdown that began with the fiscal year 2026 funding lapse on October 1, 2025. This article provides a clear, detailed, and source‑driven account of what happened, who voted, what the deal includes, and what still matters for federal employees, beneficiaries and the economy.
Article roadmap:
- Timeline and causes of the shutdown
- How the shutdown ended — Senate, House and presidential action
- What the deal includes and what remains unresolved
- Who voted — notable senators and representatives
- Practical impact for federal employees and the public
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- What comes next and how to prepare
Timeline and causes: Why the shutdown happened
Start date and immediate trigger
The shutdown began on October 1, 2025, the start of fiscal year 2026, after Congress failed to agree on appropriations bills or a continuing resolution. Key disagreements centered on health‑care subsidy extensions (notably the extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits), immigration and discretionary program funding. When appropriations are not passed and no stopgap measure is in place, non‑essential federal programs are subject to furlough or suspension — which is precisely what occurred in early October.
Escalation and duration
The impasse persisted through October and into November, creating cascading disruptions across federal services. By the time a resolution passed in mid‑November, the shutdown lasted 43 days, making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The length resulted from entrenched negotiating positions in both chambers and the inclusion of several high‑stakes policy items in budget deliberations.
Primary causes in plain language
- Dispute over extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits (Democrats sought a full extension; Republicans resisted policy changes tied to funding).
- Partisan disagreements about border and immigration enforcement funding.
- House Republican demands for policy concessions in exchange for reopening appropriations, and resistance from Senate Democrats.
How the shutdown was ended — step by step
Senate action
On November 10, 2025, the U.S. Senate passed a compromise funding package that cleared the way to reopen the government. The Senate vote met the procedural threshold needed to move forward and ultimately produced final passage. The package included short‑term funding extensions for many agencies, targeted full‑year funding for select areas, and a framework for a later vote on health‑care subsidy policy.
House vote
The House of Representatives considered the same funding package and, on November 12, 2025, approved it by a vote of 222–209. That passage followed intense floor debate and whip efforts on both sides of the aisle.
Presidential signature
That night President Donald Trump signed the bill into law. The presidential signature made the funding act operative and formally ended the shutdown. The signature also triggered agency guidance and personnel processing; federal agencies began resuming normal operations as OPM and department leadership issued reopening instructions.
Bottom line: Senate approved the deal Nov 10, the House approved Nov 12, and the President signed the same night — reopening the government.
What the funding deal includes — and what it does not
Key provisions included
The compromise was designed to restore operations quickly. Core elements included:
- Short‑term funding for most federal agencies through January 30, 2026, allowing lawmakers more time to negotiate fiscal year 2026 full appropriations.
- Full‑year appropriations for certain priorities — such as defense military construction, the Veterans Administration and selected mandatory programs — through September 30, 2026.
- Language committing congressional leaders to schedule a separate vote in mid‑December 2025 on extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits (EPTCs) and related health‑care subsidies.
What the agreement left unresolved
Although the immediate funding lapse ended, notable items remain unsettled and could fuel future impasses:
- ACA premium tax credits: The most politically sensitive item, not included in the emergency funding package; the December vote remains an open negotiation.
- Long‑term appropriations: The majority of fiscal year 2026 spending bills still require full negotiation; this deal merely delayed those fights.
- Debt ceiling and fiscal policy: Broader fiscal negotiations over deficits and long‑term policy were untouched and will likely surface in coming months.
Who voted — notable senators, representatives and cross‑party votes
Senate highlights
The Senate vote that helped break the stalemate saw a cross‑section of votes. Eight Senate Democrats ultimately supported moving the bill forward, creating the necessary margin to pass it. That cross‑party support generated pushback within Democratic ranks but was decisive in ending the shutdown. Prominent senators who played leadership roles in negotiations included Senate Majority and Minority leaders and key moderates who brokered compromises.
House highlights
In the House vote on November 12, several Democrats joined the Republican majority in voting to reopen the government. The final tally was 222–209. That break among a handful of Democrats reflected pressure from constituents and direct appeals regarding back‑pay and critical local impacts of a prolonged shutdown.
Names you asked about
The following names were frequently mentioned in coverage and in Congressional floor activity around the shutdown: Tim Kaine, Tim Burchett, Greg Steube, Maggie Hassan, Catherine Cortez Masto, John Cornyn, Dick Durbin, and others. Many exercised votes, procedural influence or public statements; specific votes are recorded in official roll call documents maintained by the Senate and House clerks.
| Chamber | Vote date | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | Nov 10, 2025 | Passed (motion/compromise) | Included 8 Democrats voting with Republicans on procedural motion |
| House | Nov 12, 2025 | Passed 222–209 | 6 House Democrats crossed; 2 Republicans opposed |
Practical impact — federal employees, services and the economy
Federal employees and OPM guidance
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and agency leadership issued reopening and payroll guidance following the President’s signature. Agencies were instructed to resume normal operations; employees who were furloughed are eligible for back‑pay. OPM and department payroll offices began processing back‑pay as soon as the bill took effect, with many agencies estimating disbursements within days to a week. If you are a federal employee, check your agency’s human resources or payroll portal for the official schedule and FAQs.
Public services
Essential services that continued during the shutdown remain operational; non‑essential public services that were suspended — national park visitor centers, many federal museums, some grant processing, and certain regulatory operations — began a phased return to normal operations. Service restoration timing varies by agency and requires internal reactivation steps, but most major public services resumed within days.
Economic effects
Independent estimates placed the economic cost of the shutdown in the billions. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and other independent analysts estimated lost output and productivity that will reduce GDP growth in the final quarter of 2025. Local economies that rely heavily on federal spending or government operations (for example, military bases, federal research facilities, and tourism near national parks) experienced outsized impacts.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the government open now?
Yes. The funding package signed on November 12, 2025 reopened the federal government. Agencies are resuming operations under the terms of the enacted law.
Did the Senate vote to reopen the government?
Yes. The Senate passed the compromise funding package on November 10, 2025, which moved the legislation to the House and ultimately to the President for signature.
Did the House vote to reopen the government?
Yes. The House voted on November 12, 2025 and passed the funding bill by a 222–209 margin.
Did President Trump sign the bill?
Yes. President Donald Trump signed the bill on November 12, 2025, and the government was reopened by law that night.
How long was the shutdown?
The shutdown lasted 43 days, from October 1, 2025 to November 12, 2025.
When will federal employees be paid?
Back‑pay processing began immediately after the bill took effect. Many agencies aimed to issue payments within days; however, exact timing depends on agency payroll cycles and contractor/vendor constraints. OPM and agency HR offices will provide the authoritative schedule for each employee group.
Is another shutdown possible?
Yes. This deal provides a short‑term extension through January 30, 2026 for most agencies. If full year appropriations are not reached by that deadline, another funding lapse could occur. Policymakers and stakeholders should watch December and January negotiations closely.
What comes next — deadlines, votes and what to watch
January 30, 2026 — the next funding deadline
Most federal funding in the compromise expires on January 30, 2026. Congress must either pass full fiscal year 2026 appropriations or adopt another continuing resolution before that date to avoid renewed disruption.
Mid‑December 2025 — ACA premium tax credit vote
Party leaders agreed to schedule a separate vote in mid‑December on the extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits. That vote will be politically charged and could affect negotiations across multiple appropriations bills.
Practical advice for federal employees and beneficiaries
- Check your agency or OPM portal for exact back‑pay timelines and HR guidance.
- Keep records of any expenses caused by the shutdown (e.g., travel cancellations) — some agencies offered limited assistance or guidance for reimbursement.
- If you rely on federal benefit programs (SNAP, veterans’ services), monitor the official federal or state agency announcements for restoration timing.
Sources & further reading
This article is based on reporting and official releases current as of November 12, 2025. Primary sources include major news organizations and official statements from the White House, OPM, the House and Senate clerks. For the definitive roll call votes and bill text, consult the official congressional records and your agency’s HR or press releases.
- Official roll call records from the U.S. House and U.S. Senate
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reopening and payroll guidance
- Major news organizations reporting on the Nov 10–12, 2025 votes and presidential signing
