WASHINGTON: The United States Senate has passed a bipartisan deal aimed at ending the country’s longest-ever government shutdown, offering the first sign of progress after 40 days of political deadlock between Republicans and Democrats.
After a weekend of tense negotiations, a minority of Democrats joined Republicans to back the measure, which would temporarily fund the government after it ran out of money on October 1. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it faces further debate before federal services and employee pay can resume.
According to the BBC, the shutdown has left around 1.4 million federal employees either furloughed or working without pay and caused major disruptions across government agencies, including air travel and food assistance programs serving 41 million low-income Americans.
Bipartisan Negotiations Break the Deadlock
The agreement was brokered between Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the White House, with input from Democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and independent Angus King of Maine.
Republicans, who hold a 53-47 Senate majority, secured the required 60 votes to advance the measure, gaining eight Democratic votes despite internal opposition. Only one Republican — Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky — voted against the bill, citing concerns over rising national debt.
The deal includes a commitment to hold a December vote on extending healthcare subsidies that are set to expire this year, a key Democratic demand during negotiations. These subsidies help millions of Americans afford insurance through government-run exchanges.
Democrats Divided Over Concessions
While some Democrats welcomed the compromise as a step toward reopening the government, others criticized it as insufficient. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the deal failed to guarantee concrete healthcare reforms.
“This bill does nothing to ensure that the healthcare crisis is addressed,” Schumer said, confirming his opposition. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom called the move by Democrats who supported the deal “pathetic.”
Still, Majority Leader Thune praised the bipartisan spirit, saying, “We have senators, both Democrats and Republicans, who are eager to get to work to address that crisis in a bipartisan way.”
Temporary Funding and Next Steps
The package includes three appropriations bills to fund agencies such as veterans affairs and agriculture, as well as a continuing resolution to finance the rest of the government until January 30 — potentially setting up another shutdown early next year.
It also guarantees back pay for all federal employees and extends Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding through September 2026, ensuring food support for one in eight Americans.
The House of Representatives is expected to take up the measure later this week, but divisions remain among both parties over long-term spending and healthcare commitments.
