Government Shutdown Impact: Flights & Jobs Recovery Delayed
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Government Reopens After 35-Day Shutdown
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A deal brokered in the senate, with support from both parties, ended the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, restoring services and pay too hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
What Happened?
After 35 days of impasse, the House of Representatives passed a bill on January 22, 2019, to temporarily fund the government through January 30, 2019.President Donald Trump signed the bill into law that same day, officially ending the shutdown which began on December 22, 2018.
The resolution came after eight democratic senators voted with Republicans to overcome a filibuster, allowing the funding bill to proceed. This occurred despite Democrats’ initial demands for extending enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. The agreement also included provisions for back pay for furloughed federal workers.
Key details of the Agreement
The funding package included:
- Government Funding: Funds federal agencies through January 30, 2019.
- Back Pay: Reinstatement of approximately 800,000 federal employees and guaranteed back pay for the duration of the shutdown. NBC News reported that the back pay process would take time, with some employees facing delays.
- ACA Subsidies: Did *not* include an extension of the enhanced ACA subsidies that Democrats sought to stabilize insurance markets. Morning Brew detailed the potential impact of this omission on ACA premiums.
- Jan. 6 Lawsuit Provision: A controversial clause allowing certain Republican senators to challenge investigations related to the January 6th capitol attack.
Timeline of the Shutdown
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 22, 2018 | Government shutdown begins due to disagreement over funding for a border wall. |
| January 14, 2019 | House Democrats pass a package of bills to reopen government, but they are blocked in the Senate. |
| January 22, 2019 | Senate passes a short-term funding bill. |
| January 25, 2019 | President Trump signs the bill into law, ending the shutdown. |
Impact of the Shutdown
The 35-day shutdown had important consequences:
- Federal Employees: Approximately 800,000 federal employees were furloughed or worked without pay.
- Government Services: National parks were closed, passport processing was delayed, and various government services were disrupted.
- Economic Impact: The shutdown cost the U.S. economy an estimated $11 billion, according to the