Trump backs down on wall funding Congress approves 3-week CR ending 35-day shutdown

On January 25, 2019, President Trump agrees to end the 35-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history at that time. Congress passes and Trump signs a continuing resolution that funds the government for 3 weeks without including his requested border wall funding. Trump capitulates amid mounting security concerns and public pressure. A significant factor in the breakthrough is widespread absences among Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and air traffic controllers, causing severe airport delays and flight cancellations that impact holiday travelers and supply chains. The Federal Aviation Administration reports increasing air traffic control staffing shortages. Internal White House sources tell media outlets that the air traffic control crisis is a "contributing catalyst" to the shutdown's end. Democrats declare victory in resisting the wall funding demand. Republicans and Trump supporters claim partial credit for extracting commitments for future border security discussions. The shutdown reveals the economic cost of prolonged impasse. The Congressional Budget Office later estimates $11 billion in lost GDP, including $3 billion in unrecoverable losses.