US Senate passes deal in bid to end record breaking government shutdown
The US Senate has approved a bipartisan deal aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in American history, signaling the first real progress after more than 40 days of political deadlock.
After an intense weekend of negotiations in Washington, a minority of Democrats joined Republicans in backing the compromise funding bill, which is designed to reopen government agencies shuttered since 1 October.
The procedural vote is only the first step in a longer process, with several hurdles still to clear before federal employees can return to work and suspended services resume. The measure must now pass the House of Representatives, where further debate and opposition are expected.
A record shutdown with wide-ranging consequences
The current shutdown, now stretching into its sixth week, has left an estimated 1.4 million federal workers either furloughed or working without pay.
Key public services, including air travel, food safety inspections, and federal assistance programmes, have been severely affected. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports 41 million low, income Americans, has faced funding strain as the impasse dragged on.
The shutdown’s ripple effects have been felt nationwide, with transport officials warning that prolonged disruption could reduce flights “to a trickle.”
The compromise deal
The new agreement was brokered between 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.
Republicans, who hold a 53, 47 majority in the Senate, needed 60 votes to advance the measure. They secured eight Democratic votes, losing only Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who opposed the bill, citing concerns about increased national debt.
The proposal includes:
- Three appropriations bills to fund agencies such as Veterans Affairs and Agriculture.
- A continuing resolution to finance the rest of the government until 30 January, leaving open the possibility of another shutdown early next year.
- Guaranteed back pay for federal employees affected by the closure.
- Funding for SNAP through September next year.
- A December vote on extending healthcare subsidies, a key Democratic priority.
Divisions within the Democratic Party
While the deal drew bipartisan backing, it has exposed divisions among Democrats.
Party leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, criticised the agreement for failing to include firm commitments on healthcare funding.
“For months Democrats have been fighting to get the Senate to address the healthcare crisis,” Mr Schumer said. “This bill does nothing to ensure that crisis is addressed.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom went further, calling the decision by some Democrats to support the deal “pathetic”, arguing that they conceded too much without securing meaningful policy gains.
Despite the criticism, supporters of the bill said the agreement marks a crucial first step toward restoring government operations and reopening negotiations on broader reforms.
“I’m thankful that senators from both parties are eager to work together,” Senator Thune said ahead of the vote. “We have a president who’s ready to sit down and get to work. I look forward to seeing what solutions we can deliver.”
Thune did not specify what future healthcare legislation might include, a point that continues to frustrate many Democrats in both chambers.
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What happens next
The measure will now move to the House of Representatives, where it faces further scrutiny and potential amendments. If approved, it will head to the White House for President’s signature, formally ending the shutdown.
Until then, federal services remain partially closed, and the uncertainty surrounding pay, public programs, and national operations continues to mount.
