Shortest government shutdown ever ends

Show Caption Hide Caption U.S. House passes budget, ends government shutdown The House has narrowly passed a sweeping bipartisan budget accord, ending an hours-long government shutdown and clearing a path for huge spending increases for both the Pentagon and domestic programs. The Senate passed the measure earlier Friday. (Feb. 9)

WASHINGTON — In the long history of government shutdowns, this one was a record: the shortest ever.

The lapse in federal funding lasted less than 6 hours—with the government officially unfunded from 12:01 a.m. on Friday to about 5:30 a.m. when lawmakers scrambled to pass a six-week spending bill.

President Trump tweeted at about 8:30 ET Friday morning that he had signed the bill, officially restarting the flow of federal funds.

Just signed Bill. Our Military will now be stronger than ever before. We love and need our Military and gave them everything — and more. First time this has happened in a long time. Also means JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2018

This was the second shutdown in a month—and the 20th since the 1970s, according to a tally by the Congressional Research Service.

Four previous shutdowns, all in the 1980s, lasted just one day—but a full day—according the CRS data. The longest shutdown?

A 21-day spending impasse that stretched from Dec. 5, 1995 until Jan. 6, 1996—pitting then President Bill Clinton against then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Read more:

Federal government to reopen after House passes budget deal

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