Government shutdown ends: Trump signs bipartisan deal

Bipartisan deal ends 42-day government shutdown as Trump signs bill into law

President Donald Trump has ended the 42-day government shutdown by signing a bill into law. The move has seen the reopening of the government, with several key figures playing crucial roles in the process.

Maine's Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King both voted in favor of the deal, demonstrating bipartisan support for the legislation. Notably, Democratic U.S. Maine Rep. Jared Golden also voted with House Republicans to reopen the government. Golden's support for the stopgap spending plan, however, differs from that of his Democratic colleague, Rep. Chellie Pingree, who voted against it.

The House bill, which Golden supported, provides full-year funding for vital programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), veterans programs, and military construction. Golden's vote aligns with other Democratic members of Congress who backed the deal, including Joe Cunningham, Abigail Spanberger, and Xochitl Torres Small. Golden had previously urged both parties to negotiate a plan to extend Obamacare tax credits, which was also included in the bill.

In neighboring New Hampshire, the voting was mixed. Reps. Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander voted against the bill, while Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan helped negotiate the bipartisan plan that ultimately led to the government's reopening.

The government shutdown has come to an end with the signing of the bill into law. The legislation, backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, ensures the continuation of critical programs and extends Obamacare tax credits. Despite some internal party divisions, the reopening of the government signals a step forward in the ongoing negotiations between Democrats and Republicans.