Washington: The US Senate has approved a bipartisan deal aimed at ending the nation’s record-breaking 40-day government shutdown, marking the first breakthrough after weeks of political gridlock.
Following intense weekend negotiations, a minority of Democrats joined Republicans to vote in favor of the agreement, which represents the initial procedural step toward restoring federal funding after the government ran out of money on October 1.
The measure still requires approval from the House of Representatives before government services and federal employee pay can resume.
The government shutdown, the longest in US history, has left around 1.4 million federal workers either on unpaid leave or working without pay. It has also disrupted critical services, including air travel operations and food assistance for 41 million low-income Americans.
The agreement was brokered between US Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the White House, with support from Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with the Democrats.
With Republicans holding a 53–47 Senate majority, they secured eight Democratic votes to cross the 60-vote threshold, losing only one member, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who opposed the deal over concerns about increasing national debt.
A key element of the deal is a commitment to hold a December vote on extending federal healthcare subsidies, a major Democratic priority that helps millions of Americans afford insurance through government-run exchanges.
Senate Majority Leader Thune expressed optimism about bipartisan cooperation and stated that, “We have senators on both sides ready to work together to address this crisis.”
However, Democratic leaders, including US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized the compromise, saying it lacked firm guarantees on healthcare reform. California Governor Gavin Newsom also condemned Democrats who supported the bill, calling their move ‘pathetic.’
The measure further includes three appropriations bills to fund departments such as Veterans Affairs and Agriculture, alongside a continuing resolution to finance the remainder of the government through January 30, raising the possibility of another shutdown early next year.
Additionally, the deal ensures that all federal workers will receive back pay for the shutdown period and extends funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports one in eight Americans, through September 2026.
While the US Senate vote marks a critical step toward reopening the government, the proposal must still pass the House of Representatives, where it is expected to face further political challenges before becoming law.
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