The U.S. Coast Guard contractor alleges he was fired "in retaliation for his private speech on a matter of significant national interest and attention," violating his First Amendment rights, according to the lawsuit.

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or working without pay since the government shut down on Oct. 1. Now, as Congress races toward a resolution to the record-breaking

In her ruling this week, Judge Frimpong said that lawyer visiting hours at B-18, which is in the basement of a federal building, have been closed down repeatedly without letting lawyers know, despite her ordering the government to notify them.

The Republican-controlled House on Wednesday night approved legislation in a 222 to 209 vote to reopen the government after 43 days, the longest shutdown in American history. Six Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in favor of the measure, while two Republicans joined a vast majority of Democrats in opposing it.

President Donald Trump has signed a government funding bill, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks.

The federal government announced flight cuts at airports that took a hit during the recent government shutdown dropped from 6% to 3% on Saturday.