President Donald Trump signed a funding bill late Wednesday, ending a historic 43-day government shutdown that left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid, disrupted travel and food assistance, and deepened political divisions in Washington.

The House passed the measure earlier in the day by a 222-209 vote, following Senate approval on Monday. The shutdown stemmed from partisan clashes over extending tax credits that help lower health insurance costs under the Affordable Care Act. Democrats demanded their renewal, while Republicans argued the issue should be debated separately.

During the shutdown, around 670,000 federal employees were furloughed and 730,000 worked without pay. The crisis also affected food aid programs like SNAP and caused long lines at airports and food banks.

The funding bill restores government operations and extends Medicare telehealth programs and hospital-at-home care through January 30. Essential workers are expected to receive back pay within days, according to White House officials.

While the shutdown’s end brought relief, it left frustration in its wake. Many federal workers said they felt used as “political pawns.” Lawmakers on both sides traded blame — Republicans accused Democrats of leveraging public suffering for policy gains, while Democrats said the GOP prioritized tax breaks for the wealthy over working families’ health care.

The closure’s financial and emotional toll will take time to recover from, with many questioning whether the weeks-long standoff was worth the hardship it caused.