U.S. federal government reopens after longest-ever shutdown

Last updated 9:42 a.m., Jan. 28

U.S. federal government employees have returned to work on Jan. 28, following a 35-day partial government shutdown, according to multiple news sources. It was the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

“I am very proud to announce today that we have reached a deal to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government,” Trump was quoted as saying by NPR.

As of Jan. 25, the shutdown, which began Dec. 22, 2018, affected approximately 800,000 federal employees and services for millions in the United States, according to The New York Times.

The government plans to pay all furloughed employees their back pay by the end of the week of Jan. 27, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”

The U.S. Senate and House passed a short-term spending bill Jan. 25, and the president signed it that evening to reopen the government, according to CNN. The bill will fund the government through Feb. 15, with no funding going toward Trump’s proposed United States-Mexico border wall, according to the news station.

Effect on agriculture

“President Trump’s announcement of the reopening of the federal government is welcome news, as it will bring thousands of our employees back to work and return us to our mission of providing our customers with the services they rely upon,” USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a prepared statement.

“I extend my sincere thanks to the thousands of USDA workers who stayed on the job during the shutdown to offer as many of our normal activities as we could,” Perdue continued. “The President has already signed legislation that guarantees backpay for all employees, and we will move forward on that as soon as possible. Meanwhile, we will prepare for a smooth reestablishment of USDA functions."