A record-breaking government shutdown is almost over, leaving no winners but plenty of frustration

"The longest government shutdown in history could conclude as soon as Wednesday, Day 43, with almost no one happy with the final result.Democrats didn't get the heath insurance provisions they demanded added to the spending deal. And Republicans, who control the levers of power in Washington, didn't escape blame, according to polls and some state and local elections that went poorly for them."

"The fallout of the shutdown landed on millions of Americans, including federal workers who went without paychecks and airline passengers who had their trips delayed or canceled. An interruption in nutrition assistance programs contributed to long lines at food banks and added emotional distress going into the holiday season. The agreement includes bipartisan bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of government - food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things."

"Democrats made several demands to win their support for a short-term funding bill, but the central one was an extension of an enhanced tax credit that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces. The tax credit was boosted during the COVID-19 pandemic response, again through President Joe Biden's big energy and health care bill, and it's set to expire at the end of December. Without it, premiums on average will more than double for millions of Americans."

A 43-day government shutdown could end with a short-term spending agreement that leaves out Democrats' sought extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits. The absence of the tax credit would raise average premiums more than twofold for millions and could lead to over 2 million people losing coverage next year, according to projections. The shutdown caused unpaid federal workers, delayed and canceled airline travel, and interruptions to nutrition assistance that increased food bank lines and holiday distress. The deal funds certain programs through bipartisan Senate Appropriations bills, including food aid, veterans services and the legislative branch, and extends remaining funding until late January.

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