The government is finally open again, putting an end to the longest government shutdown in the country’s history. Of course, there’s a big caveat here. The government is open until February 15, so for about three weeks. Beyond that, things are back up in the air.
President Donald Trump finally put an end to his ongoing temper tantrum when he announced on Friday that he’d be open to funding the government for three weeks even though he hasn’t gotten money for his hideously racist border wall. As of Friday evening, Congress moved to reopen the government.
This leaves people with a ton of relief, but also a lot of questions. Here are some of the basics:
What exactly did the president sign?
Trump signed a short-term spending bill into law as of Friday night. This approved of funds to reopen the government (pay workers, open museums, and so on). Most importantly, it doesn’t include a dime of the $5.7 billion he wanted for his disgusting wall.
When do federal employees return to work?
Federal employees are expected to return to their jobs at their usual schedule; so for people who normally work Monday, they’re likely expected to come back to work as of January 28. However, this may vary a bit by agency and individual roles.
When do federal employees get back pay?
For both furloughed workers and those who worked during the shutdown, back payments will come in a lump sum. This is a good thing because it means that workers won’t have to wait until the next scheduled pay period to receive their money. The National Finance Center, for example, says it plans to pay staff by Thursday, Jan. 31.
What about federal contractors?
If (and when) federal contractors will receive back pay is still unclear.
When will the Smithsonians and National Zoo reopen?
The Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are set to open this Tuesday! The Renwick Gallery will open a bit later, on Saturday, February 2.
What’s the deal with the State of the Union?
It’s still unclear when the State of the Union will actually happen. It was originally set for January 29. Trump attempted to give the speech anyway, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi put a stop to that idea pretty immediately. Why? Because the government was still closed. As of yesterday, it hasn’t yet been rescheduled.
When will national parks reopen?
Unlike the Smithsonians, this one varies depending on the park because of their wide range of operational needs. The National Parks Service confirmed that they will reopen nationwide, but it’ s best for you to contact parks individually to get their details.