'Will NEVER give in to extortion': Trump signs bill to end longest government shutdown in history

US President Donald Trump has signed the federal funding package to reopen the government after a record 43-day shutdown. The United States Congress on Wednesday (Nov 12) sent the bill for US president's signature after it was passed by the House, by a vote of 222 to 209. The US Senate passed the bill earlier this week. Nearly all Republicans and a handful of Democrats voted in favour of the bill. According to CNN, the legislation ensures that government operations resume immediately. The deadline to set up a new funding deadline is of January 30, although several key programmes--including SNAP, WIC, and veterans' services--will remain funded through the end of fiscal year 2026. The longest-ever government shutdown in US history started over an Obamacare-related programme opposed by Republicans.

Trump lashed out at Democrats while signing the bill and said, "For the past 43 days, Democrats in Congress shut down the government of the United States in an attempt to extort American taxpayers for hundreds of billions of dollars for illegal aliens... Today, we’re sending a clear message that we will NEVER give in to extortion." He also said that he is willing to work with everyone. “We'll work on something having to do with healthcare... and we're going to forget this Obamacare madness,” he added. “With my signature, the federal government will now resume normal operations and my administration, and our partners in Congress, will continue our work to lower the cost of living, restore public safety... and make America affordable again for all Americans,” Trump also said.