US government is back – on social media too!

MANILA, Philippines – After a shutdown that lasted two weeks, the United States government re-opened on Thursday, October 17, with a number of federal agencies and President Barack Obama himself turning to Twitter to announce it.

US Congress reached a compromise Wednesday to pass a bill raising the country’s debt limit, finally ending the fiscal impasse that shut down federal government operations.

Upon the bill’s approval, many US federal employees and agencies rejoiced on social media, expressing their relief upon being called back to work by the White House.

Still, some were still skeptical that Congress’ passing of a bill extending the nation’s borrowing authority is just a band-aid solution. (READ: Congress pulls US back from brink, averts default)

Before the shutdown, some government social media accounts even announced their impending hiatus: “We will not be posting or responding from this account. Farewell, humans. Sort it out yourselves,” @nasavoyager2 tweeted on October 1. Twitter accounts @deathvalleynps and @uscapitol tweeted along the same lines that same day. (READ: With no budget, US gov’t shuts down)

Below are the tweets of some agencies announcing the resumption of federal government operations:

– Stacy de Jesus/Rappler.com

Gwen de la Cruz is a Rappler intern.