U.S. President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill to end the longest shutdown in American history, which lasted 43 days, accusing Democrats of “blackmail.”

Before signing the bill, Trump said—amid applause from gathered Republican lawmakers in the Oval Office—“Today we send a clear message: we will never surrender to blackmail.”

The shutdown had caused financial hardship for federal employees who went without pay, disrupted airport travel, and led to long lines at food banks.