U.S. Senate Approves Bill to End Record-Breaking Government Shutdown
60-40 Senate vote clears way for House to reopen government and restore critical services
The United States Senate approved a funding package on Monday evening by a 60-40 vote, breaking the stalemate that led to the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history and sending the legislation to the House of Representatives for final approval.
The measure, backed by nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats, restores funding through 30 January and includes protections for federal employees and essential programmes.
The shutdown began on 1 October and has lasted for over six weeks, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay and disrupting vital services including food assistance and air-traffic operations.
The approved bill ensures back pay for furloughed employees, prohibits mass federal layoffs until late January and contains full-year funding for agencies such as Veterans Affairs and Agriculture.
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the agreement, calling it “very good” and signalling his readiness to sign once it reaches his desk.
House Speaker Mike Johnson committed to bringing the bill to a vote as early as Wednesday, urging his members to return to Washington immediately.
While the deal paves the way for reopening the government, it defers a definitive resolution of expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
A vote on those health-care tax credits is scheduled for December but is not guaranteed, prompting frustration among Democratic lawmakers.
Nevertheless, the passage marks a major step toward ending disruptions and restoring federal operations.
With the Senate vote accomplished, all eyes now turn to the House, where approval and presidential signature will determine whether the government resumes full functioning in the coming days.
The measure, backed by nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats, restores funding through 30 January and includes protections for federal employees and essential programmes.
The shutdown began on 1 October and has lasted for over six weeks, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay and disrupting vital services including food assistance and air-traffic operations.
The approved bill ensures back pay for furloughed employees, prohibits mass federal layoffs until late January and contains full-year funding for agencies such as Veterans Affairs and Agriculture.
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the agreement, calling it “very good” and signalling his readiness to sign once it reaches his desk.
House Speaker Mike Johnson committed to bringing the bill to a vote as early as Wednesday, urging his members to return to Washington immediately.
While the deal paves the way for reopening the government, it defers a definitive resolution of expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
A vote on those health-care tax credits is scheduled for December but is not guaranteed, prompting frustration among Democratic lawmakers.
Nevertheless, the passage marks a major step toward ending disruptions and restoring federal operations.
With the Senate vote accomplished, all eyes now turn to the House, where approval and presidential signature will determine whether the government resumes full functioning in the coming days.
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