A record-setting 43-day government shutdown ended on a Wednesday night, halting disruptions to air travel and food assistance programs. Yet workers remain anxious about back pay, and questions linger about how quickly normal operations can resume.

After six days of gridlock, the U.S. government remains shut down amid a fierce dispute between President Donald Trump’s Republicans and congressional Democrats. A looming threat of mass layoffs from the White House amplifies tensions for federal workers and lawmakers alike.

With only three-and-a-half weeks remaining, Congress faces increasing pressure to reach an agreement and prevent a federal government shutdown. If lawmakers fail to act, federal workers and grant-reliant programs in Northeast Tennessee could suffer the consequences.