Trump signs bill to end record-breaking US shutdown

Washington: President Donald Trump signed a bill Wednesday to end the longest government shutdown in US history 43 days that paralyzed Washington a...

Washington: President Donald Trump signed a bill Wednesday to end the longest government shutdown in US history -- 43 days that paralyzed Washington and left hundreds of thousands of unpaid workers while Republicans and Democrats played a high-stakes blame game.

The Republican-led House of Representatives voted largely along party lines to approve a Senate-passed package that will reopen federal departments and agencies, as many Democrats fume over what they see as a capitulation by party leaders.

Trump lashed out at Democrats as he put his signature to the bill later in the Oval Office, urging Americans to remember the chaos when voting in hotly contested US midterm elections in a year's time.

“Today we are sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion,” said Trump, surrounded by gleeful Republican partners including House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Johnson had earlier pointed the finger at the minority party in a withering floor speech before the vote.