White House (CNN) – Vice President Joe Biden and White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough welcomed federal workers returning to their jobs Thursday morning following the 16-day partial government shutdown
"It's really good to have everybody back to work," McDonough said after shaking hands with a steady stream of employees walking through the gates that lead to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
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Biden greeted workers at the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency.
"I am happy it's ended. It was unnecessary to begin with. I'm happy it's ended," the Vice President told a reporter after delivering coffee cakes to workers at the building security desk.
Biden added there are "no guarantees" the nation will be able to avoid another government shutdown. The continuing resolution that reopened the government expires on January 15.