After 43 days, the longest-ever government shutdown has mercifully come to a close. But ABC’s World News Tonight appears to have been vested in the shutdown dragging on indefinitely, judging by their latest report on the shutdown’s aftermath.
Below is that report in its entirety, as aired on ABC’s World News Tonight on Thursday, November 13th, 2025:
DAVID MUIR: This evening the shutdown, 43 days, the longest ever. It's now over. The federal government open tonight. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers now back on the job. The Homeland Security secretary today handing out $10,000 bonuses to TSA agents in Houston. Tonight the question: will all TSA agents get that bonus check? And flights in this country, another 1,000 flights still canceled today. The question tonight, how long will it take to get back to normal? And so here's Rachel Scott now.
RACHEL SCOTT: Tonight, after 43 days of the longest shutdown in US history, the government officially reopened. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers back on the job.
FEDERAL WORKER: Happy to be back.
KRISTI NOEM: …a check and say thank you.
SCOTT: Today in Houston, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, handing out $10,000 bonuses to TSA agents who she said went above and beyond working through the shutdown without pay.
NOEM: They're going to get a bonus check for stepping up, taking on extra shifts, for showing up each and every day.
SCOTT: It's not clear how many will get a bonus, but Noem says they are evaluating every individual at TSA that did exceptional service during the shutdown. Just days ago, the president said air traffic controllers who took no time off should get a $10,000 bonus, too. Air traffic controllers also worked more than a month without pay. Some had to pick up second jobs. But the president threatened to dock those who didn’t show up to work, warning on social media they should leave the profession “with no payment or severance of any kind.”
SCOTT: The impact of the shutdown so dire, food banks were popping up at airports.
TSA WORKER: Thank you.
SCOTT: Some TSA workers like Maggie Sabantino…
MAGGIE SABANTINO: But the fridge is pretty much empty.
SCOTT: A mother of two in Philadelphia told us she couldn't afford to go to work.
SABANTINO: When I call out, I tell them the truth. I can't afford childcare.
SCOTT: Tonight, Maggie is back on the job. But the shockwaves from this shutdown will take days to settle. 1,000 flights canceled today. More than 11,000 in the last week. David, federal food assistance for millions of Americans impacted by this shutdown rolling out. Meanwhile here at the airport, the FAA still cutting flights by 6%. Those delays and cancellations expected to last a few more days. David.
MUIR: Rachel Scott back with us tonight. Thank you, Rachel.
