The United States Senate has passed a critical funding bill that could bring the nation’s longest-ever government shutdown to an end within days. The measure passed late on Monday with a 60-40 vote, supported by nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats. The deal secures government funding through the end of January.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where approval is required before President Donald Trump can sign it into law. Trump said earlier on Monday that he was ready to support the legislation. The agreement followed weekend negotiations between members of both parties determined to reopen government agencies and get federal employees back to work.
Cross-Party Cooperation Delivers Breakthrough
Republicans, who control the Senate 53-47, needed 60 votes to pass the bill. Democratic Senators Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, Jackie Rosen and Jeanne Shaheen joined Republicans in favour. Maine’s independent senator Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, also supported the measure.
Only one Republican, Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted against the deal. When the final count was announced, senators in the chamber applauded. “We are reopening the government and ensuring that federal workers are finally paid what they have earned,” said Republican Senator Susan Collins, one of the bill’s authors.
Shutdown’s Toll on Workers and Services
Since October, about 1.4 million federal workers have been forced to work without pay or take unpaid leave. The shutdown has disrupted essential services nationwide, from air travel to food assistance and public safety programs.
FlightAware reported over 2,400 flight cancellations and 9,000 delays on Monday. Food benefits for 41 million low-income Americans have been interrupted. Several federal departments have slowed or halted operations, leaving many communities struggling to access basic services.
House Prepares for Tight Vote
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives now faces the crucial task of passing the funding bill. Lawmakers have been away from Washington since mid-September, but Speaker Mike Johnson has called them back to begin debate on Wednesday.
With only a two-seat Republican majority, the vote will be close. Members of both parties face growing pressure to end the impasse and restore normal government operations.
Inside the Funding Deal
The agreement funds the government through 30 January. It includes full-year budgets for the Department of Agriculture, military construction and legislative agencies. It guarantees back pay for federal workers and extends funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) until September next year.
The deal also schedules a December vote on extending healthcare subsidies set to expire this year. These subsidies help millions of Americans afford health insurance through government-run exchanges. Democrats had insisted on this commitment before agreeing to the bill.
Democrats Split Over the Compromise
The package was negotiated by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, the White House and Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, with Angus King also taking part. But the deal has divided Democrats.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticised the decision, calling it “pathetic.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the agreement “fails to address America’s healthcare crisis.”
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who supported the bill, defended the compromise, saying federal employees in his state were relieved that action was being taken. Thune pledged to revisit the healthcare issue in December, although Speaker Johnson has said he will not bring it to a vote in the House.
Trump Promises Swift End to Shutdown
President Trump told reporters earlier on Monday that he would sign the bill if it passed the House. “We’ll be opening up our country very quickly,” he said from the Oval Office. “The deal is very good.”
If the House approves the measure, the government could reopen within days, ending a record-breaking shutdown that has disrupted the lives of millions and strained the country’s political system.
