End to record-long U.S. government shutdown in sight
End to record-long U.S. government shutdown in sight
A key budget deal advances in the Senate, reopening the government, restoring pay for federal workers, and paving a vote on healthcare subsidies.
The longest government shutdown in American history appears headed toward a resolution as a compromise budget moves through the Senate, following a surprising bend in party lines. Several Democrats joined Republicans to push the package forward, sparking backlash within their own ranks but signaling a possible end to weeks of gridlock. Since October 1, when the shutdown began, more than a million federal workers have faced unpaid leave and widespread disruption to services they rely on. The unfolding stalemate also began to take a toll on air travel, with hundreds of flights canceled in the days ahead, intensifying pressure on lawmakers to act.
The bill in question would reopen the government through January and fund some programs for the full fiscal year, while restoring funding for key services and reversing some large-scale personnel actions of the past weeks. Crucially, it would give federal workers back pay once the government is funded again. It also promises a vote on extending healthcare subsidies for ACA plans, a core demand for Democrats who warned of higher costs for millions of Americans if subsidies lapse.
If the Senate approves the deal, attention will turn to the House to schedule a swift vote so it can reach the President’s desk. President Trump, returning to Washington after a weekend away, signaled optimism that a resolution was near. The package has been described as a pragmatic step to end the shutdown and stabilize federal operations, even as questions linger about the longer-term fate of ACA tax credits and broader policy fights that helped push the shutdown into its record length.
Beyond dollars and deadlines, the plan would restore funding for the SNAP food aid program, which supports tens of millions of lower-income Americans. Supporters argue the deal minimizes economic harm and preserves a functioning government, while critics warn that it does not fully resolve the underlying disagreements around healthcare subsidies and long-term fiscal policy. As negotiators press ahead, millions await a return to normal government services and the certainty that comes with a functioning, funded government.
Cover image source: Senate Vote Advances Deal To End Shutdown As 8 Democrats Break Rank 🔗
