Washington, D.C. — November 12, 2025. After 43 days of political gridlock that resulted in more than $6 billion in lost travel spending and widespread disruptions, the U.S. Congress has passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government, officially ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

In response, Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, emphasized the urgent need to prevent future crises of this kind.

“All government shutdowns are irresponsible—period,” Freeman stated. “They jeopardize essential services, erode public confidence, and inflict needless economic pain. If Congress ever goes down this foolish path again, essential federal workers—like air traffic controllers and TSA officers—must be paid without interruption.”

The travel industry, one of the hardest-hit sectors during the shutdown, faced major operational challenges across airports and tourism services nationwide. The resolution, Freeman said, “restores stability to the people and systems that keep travel moving,” but he also underscored that it should serve as a catalyst for long-term reform.

“Congress should invest in the modern infrastructure, technology, and workforce needed to keep America moving forward,” he added.

The U.S. Travel Association called on policymakers to focus on strengthening critical travel infrastructure and ensuring that federal services supporting the tourism economy remain uninterrupted during any future political standoffs.

The industry’s recovery from the shutdown highlights both the resilience of America’s travel sector and the need for sustained government support to maintain its momentum.