The United States Senate has approved a major funding bill that could end the country’s longest government shutdown within days. Senators voted 60-40 late on Monday, with almost all Republicans and eight Democrats supporting the agreement. The bill will keep the government funded until the end of January.
The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, which must approve it before President Donald Trump can sign it into law. Trump signalled earlier on Monday that he was ready to do so. The deal came together after weekend negotiations between both parties aimed at restoring government services and returning hundreds of thousands of federal employees to work.
Bipartisan Support Pushes Bill Through
Republicans, who control the Senate with a 53-47 majority, needed at least 60 votes to pass the legislation. Democratic Senators Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, Jackie Rosen and Jeanne Shaheen broke from their party to vote in favour. Maine’s independent senator, Angus King, who works with Democrats, also backed the bill.
Only one Republican, Rand Paul of Kentucky, joined most Democrats in voting against it. When the result was announced, the few senators who remained in the chamber applauded. “We are reopening the government and ensuring federal workers receive the pay they deserve,” said Senator Susan Collins, a Republican who helped write the bill.
Shutdown Disrupts Millions Across the Country
The partial shutdown began in October and has left about 1.4 million federal employees either working without pay or on unpaid leave. It has disrupted air travel, food aid, and public services nationwide.
On Monday, more than 2,400 flights were cancelled and nearly 9,000 delayed, according to FlightAware. Food assistance for 41 million low-income Americans has also been affected. Many federal agencies have slowed or halted operations, putting pressure on local economies and public safety.
House Faces Tight Vote
The next step lies with the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a narrow two-seat majority. Members have been away from Washington since mid-September, but Speaker Mike Johnson has called them back for a vote starting Wednesday.
Every vote will count, and lawmakers face growing pressure to act quickly. The outcome will determine whether the shutdown ends this week or continues to strain government operations.
What’s in the Agreement
The deal funds the federal government through 30 January. It provides full-year budgets for the Department of Agriculture, military construction, and legislative agencies. The bill guarantees back pay for federal workers and extends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) until September next year.
It also includes a commitment to hold a December vote on healthcare subsidies due to expire this year. These subsidies help millions of Americans afford insurance through government exchanges. Democratic leaders had refused to approve new funding without an agreement on the issue.
Democrats Split Over the Compromise
The funding deal was negotiated by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, the White House, and several Democratic senators, including Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and Angus King of Maine. Yet the compromise divided Democrats.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticised the move as “pathetic.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill “fails to address America’s healthcare crisis.”
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who voted for the measure, defended the decision, saying federal workers in his state were relieved the shutdown could finally end. Thune promised to revisit the healthcare subsidies by mid-December, though Speaker Johnson said he would not bring that measure to a House vote.
Trump Welcomes the Deal
President Trump voiced his approval of the Senate’s agreement earlier on Monday. “We’ll be opening up our country very quickly,” he said from the Oval Office. “The deal is very good.”
If the House passes the bill, the government could reopen within days, ending a record-breaking shutdown that froze services, halted paychecks, and left millions of Americans waiting for Washington to act.
