WASHINGTON, Nov 9 – The U.S. Senate took a significant step Sunday toward reopening the federal government, which has been partially shut down for 40 days. Lawmakers voted to advance a House-approved funding measure aimed at restoring federal operations and providing relief to hundreds of thousands of furloughed workers. The bill, if passed, would fund government agencies through January 30, 2026, and includes three full-year appropriations measures.
The procedural vote, which passed by a 60-40 margin, reached the threshold needed to overcome a Senate filibuster. The move brings Congress closer to resolving one of the longest shutdowns in recent history, which has disrupted federal services, delayed food assistance, and created widespread air travel challenges.
President Donald Trump, speaking ahead of the vote, expressed optimism about the progress. “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending,” he told reporters at the White House.
Key Provisions in the Senate Measure
The Senate’s proposal goes beyond short-term government funding. It would temporarily block federal agencies from laying off employees until January 30, providing stability for millions of federal workers. This clause is seen as a major victory for federal worker unions and their allies, who have criticized the administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce the federal workforce.
At the start of Trump’s second term, approximately 2.2 million civilians were employed by the federal government. However, records indicate that at least 300,000 employees are expected to leave by year’s end due to ongoing downsizing initiatives. The proposed legislation would pause these cuts, offering federal workers a sense of security after weeks of financial uncertainty.
The bill also guarantees back pay for all affected employees, including military personnel, Border Patrol agents, and air traffic controllers. For many families, this assurance comes as a long-awaited lifeline after more than a month without paychecks.
Negotiations leading to Sunday’s breakthrough involved intense talks between Republican and moderate Democratic senators. A key compromise came when Republicans agreed to hold a December vote on extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, a provision that has been at the center of the funding dispute. The subsidies help lower-income Americans afford private health insurance and are set to expire at the end of the year.
Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, along with Senator Angus King of Maine, played a central role in crafting the bipartisan deal. “For over a month, I’ve made clear that my priorities are to both reopen government and extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits,” Shaheen posted on X (formerly Twitter). “This is our best path toward accomplishing both of these goals.”
Political Divide and Economic Stakes
Despite progress, the bill’s advancement has not unified the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted against the measure, and several Democrats voiced frustration that the agreement did not immediately resolve healthcare subsidy concerns. Representative Ro Khanna expressed his disappointment online, writing, “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune hailed the vote as a step toward consensus. “It was a good vote tonight,” Thune told reporters after the session ended. “Hopefully, we’ll get an opportunity tomorrow to set up the next votes. Of course, that’s going to take some cooperation and consent.”
Republican Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina suggested that mounting public pressure helped accelerate talks. “Temperatures cool, the atmospheric pressure increases outside and all of a sudden it looks like things will come together,” he said.
The prolonged shutdown has had far-reaching consequences. Federal parks, food programs, and air travel operations have been hit hard, with air traffic controller shortages threatening to disrupt travel during the Thanksgiving rush later this month. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned that if the shutdown drags on, economic growth could turn negative in the final quarter of the year.
Thanksgiving, which falls on November 27, is expected to see one of the busiest travel periods in years. Any continued disruption could severely impact both the travel industry and consumer confidence.
President Trump has continued to push for changes to healthcare funding, advocating for direct payments to individuals instead of subsidies for insurance providers. In a message posted to his Truth Social account, Trump called the ACA subsidies “a windfall for health insurance companies and a disaster for the American people.” He urged Congress to redirect the funds as direct assistance for Americans to purchase their own coverage, adding, “I stand ready to work with both parties to solve this problem once the government is open.”
Health experts have warned that if the ACA subsidies are allowed to expire, Americans shopping for 2026 health insurance plans could face premium increases of more than double current rates. While the open enrollment period continues through January 15, lawmakers face growing pressure to act before the end of the year.
As the Senate prepares to reconvene on Monday, Republican leaders will attempt to secure bipartisan consent to fast-track the measure and avoid another week of procedural delays. Without an agreement, the shutdown could extend into next weekend.