Federal Government Reopens After 43 Days

The federal government is officially open again after a seven-week shutdown, following congressional action late last night to fund operations through Jan. 30, 2026. The agreement ends the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Earlier this week, the Senate advanced a continuing resolution (CR) by a vote of 60–40, setting the stage for final passage. In addition to reopening federal agencies, the package funds the Department of Veterans Affairs, FDA, Department of Agriculture—including SNAP and WIC—military construction, and executive branch operations.

With the government now reopened, hundreds of thousands of federal employees will receive overdue paychecks. For many credit union members, that means being able to repay emergency loans or resume normal payments after receiving skip-a-payment extensions during the shutdown.

Across the country—and throughout the Cornerstone region—credit unions have stepped up with zero-interest loans, deferred payment options, and community relief donations to help members withstand the financial strain of delayed paychecks and suspended federal assistance programs.

Cornerstone League thanks all credit unions that shared stories of how they supported members during the shutdown. Please continue submitting updates to Cornerstone and to America’s Credit Unions through their survey link. These stories help ensure policymakers and the public understand the essential role credit unions play in times of crisis.