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Federal Workers Return After Record 43-Day Shutdown

11/14/2025

50 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Federal employees resumed work on November 13, 2025, after a 43-day shutdown—the longest in U.S. history.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan funding bill on November 12, 2025, to provide back pay.
The Office of Personnel Management confirmed retroactive pay will be provided.
Thousands of employees laid off during the shutdown must be reinstated within five days of the bill’s passage.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. government shutdowns began in 1980 following legal interpretations of the Antideficiency Act, which mandated halting non-essential operations during funding gaps. The 16-day shutdown in 2013, driven by disputes over the Affordable Care Act, furloughed 800,000 federal employees. The trend continued with the unprecedented 43-day shutdown in 2025, highlighting ongoing budgetary dysfunction and its impact on federal employment and services.

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Story summary

Federal employees resumed work on November 13, 2025, after a 43-day shutdown—the longest in U.S. history.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan funding bill on November 12, 2025, to provide back pay.
The Office of Personnel Management confirmed retroactive pay will be provided.
Thousands of employees laid off during the shutdown must be reinstated within five days of the bill’s passage.

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