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US Senate passes stopgap funding to reopen government
The US Senate approved a critical funding measure late Monday in a 60-40 vote, paving the way to end the nation's longest government shutdown after eight Democrats broke ranks to join Republicans. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where a vote could occur as early as Wednesday.
Bipartisan deal secures temporary relief
The compromise, brokered over the weekend, funds federal operations through January 30 while guaranteeing back pay for 1.4 million unpaid workers. It also extends full-year budgets for the Department of Agriculture, military construction, and legislative agencies, alongside a nine-month extension for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports 41 million low-income Americans.
Key to the agreement was a Democratic concession: a December vote on extending expiring healthcare subsidies, a priority for the party. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and White House negotiators finalized terms with Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Maggie Hassan (NH), and Independent Angus King (ME), who caucuses with Democrats.
"We are going to reopen government, we are going to ensure that federal employees... will now receive compensation that they've earned and deserve," said Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a lead architect of the bill.
Democratic divisions emerge
Eight Democratic senators-Dick Durbin (IL), John Fetterman (PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Hassan, Kaine, Jackie Rosen (NV), Shaheen, and King-defied party leadership to back the measure. Only Rand Paul (R-KY) opposed it alongside most Democrats. Critics, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), called the deal "substantively empty" on healthcare, while California Governor Gavin Newsom labeled defectors' votes "pathetic."
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), who supported the bill, countered that federal workers in his state were "saying thank you" for ending the impasse. The shutdown had disrupted air travel-with 2,400 Monday flight cancellations-and halted food aid programs.
House vote looms; Trump signals support
The Republican-controlled House, recalled from recess by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), will debate the measure Wednesday. With a razor-thin GOP majority, every vote counts. President Donald Trump, who earlier signaled willingness to sign, called the deal "very good" and promised to "open our country very quickly" if it passes.
Notably, the bill's healthcare provision faces uncertainty: Thune pledged a December Senate vote, but Johnson ruled out bringing it to the House floor.
What's next
If enacted, the stopgap funding buys lawmakers three weeks to negotiate a longer-term solution. Federal agencies would resume operations immediately, though delays in restarting services like SNAP benefits are expected. The shutdown's economic toll-estimated in billions-will take months to fully assess.
