Senate passes bill to end government shutdown
The Senate voted Monday to approve a bill reopening the federal government, moving the nation closer to ending its longest-ever shutdown. The measure passed after a small group of Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the agreement, despite facing strong criticism from within their own ranks.
The 41-day shutdown may continue for a few more days as House members, currently on recess since mid-September, return to Washington to vote. President Donald Trump signaled his backing for the bill, saying, “We’re going to be opening up our country very quickly.”
The Senate passed the legislation 60–40, breaking a six-week impasse. Democrats had demanded negotiations on extending expiring health care tax credits, but Republicans refused. As the shutdown’s impact deepened — delaying food aid, grounding federal workers’ pay, and worsening airport backlogs — five moderate Democrats eventually voted with Republicans to end the stalemate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged lawmakers to return immediately to Washington, citing travel delays caused by the shutdown. “We have to do this as quickly as possible,” he said.
How the Deal Came Together
After weeks of tense negotiations, Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Independent Senator Angus King of Maine agreed to advance three bipartisan spending bills and temporarily extend government funding through late January. In return, Republicans pledged to hold a Senate vote on the health care tax credits by mid-December, though passage is uncertain.
Shaheen said it was “the only viable option” after Republicans refused to compromise. “The shutdown brought attention to the health care issue,” she said, adding that the future vote offers “a path forward.”
The bill reverses mass firings of federal employees initiated during the shutdown and ensures workers are paid once operations resume. It also shields them from further layoffs through January.
Alongside Shaheen, King, and Hassan, Democratic Senators Tim Kaine, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Jacky Rosen also voted in favor. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and most Democrats opposed the measure.
Although more Democratic support had been expected, only five senators ultimately switched their votes — just enough for the bill to pass.
Divided Democratic Response
Many Democrats condemned the decision. Schumer said he could not “in good faith” support the measure after consulting with his caucus, promising that Democrats “will not give up the fight” for affordable health care.
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders called the deal a “horrific mistake,” while Senator Chris Murphy warned that Democrats risked betraying voters who had urged them to stand firm.
House Democrats also voiced frustration. Representative Greg Casar of Texas called the agreement a “betrayal” of Americans struggling with health care costs.
Others, however, backed Schumer’s leadership. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised his handling of the shutdown, noting that “the American people know we are on the right side of this fight.”
Health Care Fight Still Ahead
Whether the two parties can agree on the tax credits remains uncertain. Speaker Johnson has refused to commit to bringing the issue before the House, though some Republicans say they’re open to extending pandemic-era subsidies with new limits on eligibility.
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins expressed support for extending the credits but suggested adding income caps. Some Democrats have indicated they might consider such a compromise.
“We must act by year’s end, and that’s exactly what’s been promised,” Collins said.
However, many Republicans, including Trump, have renewed calls to repeal or overhaul the Affordable Care Act entirely.
In a preview of the coming debate, the Senate voted 47–53 on Monday — along party lines — against extending the health care subsidies for another year. The vote was allowed as part of a broader deal to speed up final passage of the shutdown-ending legislation before sending it to the House.