After weeks of stalled services, political brinkmanship and rising public frustration, the United States government is open again. President Donald Trump signed the Republican-backed funding bill on Thursday, ending what had become the longest shutdown in US history and restoring federal operations until the end of January.

The reopening brings immediate relief to millions of Americans who rely on federal agencies, from passport offices and national parks to food assistance workers and federal loan processors. But it also sets up another high stakes countdown, since the short term deal leaves unresolved the budget disputes that triggered the shutdown in the first place.

Federal agencies have begun issuing return to work orders for furloughed employees, while backlogs created over weeks of inactivity are expected to take time to clear. Visa processing, IRS functions and Social Security customer services are among the departments preparing for heavy surges in demand as they move to restore normal operations.

The shutdown began after a spending standoff between Congress and the White House over funding priorities and policy riders. Republican leadership insisted their proposed bill addressed pressing fiscal needs, while Democrats warned that the prolonged disruption had already damaged families, businesses and public infrastructure.

This reopening does not guarantee stability. Budget analysts note that federal contractors, who rarely receive back pay after shutdowns, remain among the hardest hit. Aviation unions and public sector groups have also warned that staffing shortages, stalled training cycles and overwhelmed call centres may continue into the new year.

Political analysts say the next several weeks will determine whether Washington can avoid another early stage crisis in February. With the new deadline already set, negotiations over long term spending, immigration provisions and agency budgets are likely to intensify immediately.

For now, hospitals tied to federal funding streams, military families waiting for reimbursements, and federal employees returning to their desks are the most immediate beneficiaries of a deal that restores the government, but not the certainty Americans have been asking for.