Record US government shutdown ends
Continuing appropriations bill signed into law after 43 days.
The longest government shutdown in the US has come to an end following the signing of Congressional Bill H.R. 5371 into law.
Called the "Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026," H.R. 5371 makes continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026 (FY2026).
It provides FY2026 continuing appropriations for most federal agencies through 30 January of next year, as well as appropriations through the end of the fiscal year for agriculture, military construction and veterans affairs, and legislative branch programmes.
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Acting as a continuing resolution, H.R. 5371 funds most programmes and activities at FY2025 levels, except in cases requiring additional appropriations and funding flexibility.
The government shutdown lasted for 42 days and nearly 22.5 hours, breaking US records. It began on 1 October after an impasse in enacting the FY2026 appropriations bills. Previous funding gaps include the 35-day shutdown in 2018.
Under H.R. 5371, all federal employees who were not paid during the government shutdown will be provided back pay. The law also extends several expiring authorities, such as those related to public health, Medicare, and Medicaid.
