The United States Senate has approved a critical funding bill that could bring the longest government shutdown in history 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 funds federal operations through the end of January.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, which must approve it before President Donald Trump can sign it into law. Trump said earlier on Monday that he was ready to support the measure. The agreement followed intense weekend negotiations aimed at reopening federal agencies and returning employees to work.
Bipartisan Support Secures Senate Passage
Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, needed 60 votes to approve the bill. Democratic Senators Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, Jackie Rosen, and Jeanne Shaheen joined Republicans in backing the measure. Maine’s independent senator Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, also voted in favour.
Only one Republican, Rand Paul of Kentucky, opposed the bill. When the vote was announced, the remaining senators applauded. “We are reopening government and ensuring federal workers receive the pay they earned,” said Senator Susan Collins, a Republican and one of the bill’s authors.
Shutdown Hits Millions Nationwide
Since October, about 1.4 million federal employees have been working without pay or on unpaid leave. The shutdown has disrupted air travel, food assistance, and other essential services nationwide.
On Monday alone, FlightAware reported over 2,400 flight cancellations and nearly 9,000 delays. Food benefits for 41 million low-income Americans have been interrupted. Federal agencies have slowed operations or closed entirely, leaving communities without critical services.
House Faces Critical Vote
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives now holds the next decisive vote. Lawmakers have been away from Washington since mid-September, but Speaker Mike Johnson has recalled them to debate the bill starting Wednesday.
With only a two-seat Republican majority, every vote is crucial. Lawmakers face pressure to end the shutdown quickly and restore government operations for federal employees and the public.
Key Provisions of the Funding Deal
The deal funds the government through 30 January. It provides full-year budgets for the Department of Agriculture, military construction, and legislative agencies. The measure guarantees back pay for federal employees and extends funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September next year.
The agreement also schedules a December vote on extending healthcare subsidies due to expire this year. These subsidies help millions of Americans afford insurance through government marketplaces. Democratic leaders had demanded this commitment before supporting the measure.
Democrats Split Over the Deal
The compromise was negotiated by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, the White House, and Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, with Angus King also participating. However, the deal has divided Democrats.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticised the agreement, calling it “pathetic.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the measure “fails to address America’s healthcare crisis.”
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who voted for the bill, defended the compromise, saying federal workers in his state were “thankful” the shutdown could finally end. Thune promised to revisit healthcare subsidies in December, though Speaker Johnson has said he will not allow a House vote on the matter.
Trump Signals Swift Reopening
President Trump told reporters earlier on Monday that he would sign the bill once it reached his desk. “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, restoring paychecks to federal employees and resuming essential services after a historic shutdown that affected millions nationwide.
