Washington, D.C. — The end of the 43-day government shutdown has sent ripples through the economy, affecting not only federal employees but also thousands of non-federal workers. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, shared with reporters that approximately 60,000 non-federal employees have lost their jobs due to the ramifications of the shutdown. He indicated that the overall economic impact could reach about $15 billion per week, amounting to an estimated total loss of $92 billion.

As federal operations resume, the Office of Personnel Management confirmed that federal agencies in Washington, D.C., are back in business. Employees have been instructed to report for work as normal. The OPM notice reassured the public that standard operating procedures are being reinstated and all federal workers are expected to begin their shifts on time.

A primary concern for federal employees is when they will receive back pay after missing wages during the shutdown. More than 1.4 million federal workers, who either worked without pay or were furloughed, could see paychecks resume as soon as this upcoming Sunday. The Office of Management and Budget outlined a processing schedule for various agencies, specifying that different groups would receive back pay on different dates, with comprehensive payments expected to be completed by November 19.

Amid these developments, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed optimism for the airline industry, predicting a swift return to normal air travel conditions by this weekend. He assured travelers of the safety of flying and acknowledged the proactive measures taken by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy during the shutdown to temporarily reduce flight schedules, ensuring passenger safety amid staffing shortages.

The recent shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, significantly affected millions of Americans. It disrupted federal food assistance programs, impacting 42 million recipients, and left approximately 670,000 federal employees without paychecks. The economic fallout could potentially result in losses exceeding $7 billion.

The shutdown culminated on Wednesday when bipartisan negotiations reached an agreement to fund the government through January 30. The standoff began in late September as House Republicans sought support from Democrats, who pushed for health care-related provisions in exchange for their votes. Despite trading blame, conversations continued behind the scenes, ultimately leading to a compromise.

Meanwhile, the Smithsonian Institution announced a phased reopening of its museums and the National Zoo, after having closed its doors on October 12 due to the shutdown. Several notable venues, including the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum, are set to welcome visitors starting this Friday, with all locations expected to be open by the following Monday.

With federal operations returning to normal and economic recovery underway, many are left to contemplate the lessons learned from this lengthy impasse. As the nation observes the reopening of federal services and institutions, the focus now shifts to rebuilding and ensuring stability in the coming months.