The government is funded and Congress gets back to work. What comes next?

After an unprecedented 43 days, the 2025 government shutdown is finally over. As of Wednesday, the House of Representatives has passed the compromise funding agreement developed between eight Democratic Senators and the Republican majority in Congress.  

This compromise includes specific measures to restore funding for federal food access programs, including SNAP, WIC, and CNP, to the millions of people who had to go without or faced uncertainty about when and if they would receive their benefits. This funding measure also ensures back pay for federal workers who have lost paychecks due to the shutdown, overturns the reduction in forces started during the shutdown, and funds many critical government functions through January 30, 2026.  

Beyond a handshake agreement on a December vote in the Senate, this compromise does not resolve the core problem of expiring health insurance tax credits. Many Americans are still caught in a trap of rising prices and unaffordable healthcare premiums.  

With the government funded once again, Congress can redouble their efforts to find solutions to the nation’s most critical problems of nutrition, food safety, and health. There is a unique opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to dig into the root causes of why 42 million people in the United States depend on SNAP to put food on their tables and to take broader action to address the rising costs of food. There is a chance to reverse the pernicious cuts and requirements imposed on states by H.R. 1 this summer.  

Congress also has the chance to pass a strong, bipartisan farm bill that restores food access, improves nutrition security, and builds a stronger, more just food system for all. From expanding access to fruit and vegetable incentives, to promoting affordable nutrition by strengthening connections between local farms and public programs, or even work to reduce food loss and waste, there are tremendous opportunities for leaders in Congress to do the people’s business and advance positive, evidence-based policies.  

The time for political posturing and name calling over the shutdown is done. It is now time to find common ground and push for a better, healthier nation.