ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The country is finally emerging from the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which lasted 43 days.
President Trump signed legislation on Wednesday night to reopen the federal government during an Oval Office event, surrounded by Republican lawmakers and business leaders.
With the shutdown over, the federal government will now begin resuming its normal operations. However, several questions still linger, like what’s next and what does the end of the shutdown mean for average Americans, benefits, air travel, and healthcare?
In previous days, New Yorker State residents were already getting full SNAP benefits from state funding. The money going to EBT cards should switch to federal dollars in about 24 hours. The Associated Press reports it may take more time in states like New York because now there needs to be a calculation on how many dollars still need to go on the cards.
Another big issue is travel. This will not smooth out immediately, as major airports still have a 6% reduction in flights. It’s going to take some time before TSA and air traffic controllers feel they are staffed well enough to get all planes back in the air.
Healthcare, which really started this whole shutdown, will be the main battle in Washington as we end the year. Both sides agree on some issues, like lowering premiums, but they’re not on the same page on how to achieve that.
Republicans largely want to deregulate health care, expand health care savings accounts, and other tax-advantaged accounts. They also want to tighten eligibility and work requirements for those on Medicaid.
Meanwhile, Democrats want to expand subsidies and reverse cuts to Medicaid. The resolution President Trump signed only funds the government through January, meaning there is a good chance we could be in this same position in just a couple of months, especially with Democrats being so unhappy about healthcare.
President Trump has floated the idea of sending funds to Americans to help with healthcare, but there is no formal plan yet from the White House.
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