US Senate Passes Funding Bill, Bringing an End to Historic Government Shutdown

US Senate Passes Funding Bill, Bringing an End to Historic Government Shutdown

The United States Senate has officially passed a crucial government funding bill, setting the stage for the longest government shutdown in American history to come to an end within days.

The legislation, approved in a 60-40 vote late Monday, drew support from nearly all Republican senators and eight Democrats who broke ranks with their party to ensure the measure’s passage. The bill provides funding to keep the government running through January 30.

The measure now heads to the House of Representatives where it must be approved before President Donald Trump can sign it into law. The President had already indicated earlier Monday that he was prepared to do so, signaling a potential resolution to weeks of federal disruption.

  A Bipartisan Effort to Reopen the Government

After intense negotiations over the weekend, several Democrats joined Republicans to craft a deal aimed at restoring government operations and getting federal employees back to work.

With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate, they needed at least 60 votes to pass the bill. Democratic Senators Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, Jackie Rosen and Jeanne Shaheen joined Maine’s Angus King an Independent who caucuses with Democrats—in voting for the measure.

The only Republican to vote against the bill was Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.

When the vote was announced, the remaining senators in the chamber applauded the decision. Senator Susan Collins a key architect of the bill, stated:

"We are going to reopen the government and ensure that federal employees receive the compensation they’ve earned and deserve.”

                 The Impact of the Shutdown

According to BBC The government has been partially closed since October, leaving 1.4 million federal workers either on unpaid leave or working without pay. The shutdown disrupted a wide range of services from air travel delays to food benefits for millions of Americans.

According to FlightAware more than 2,400 flights were canceled and 9,000 delayed on Monday alone due to staff shortages and related impacts.

The shutdown also jeopardized food assistance for 41 million low-income Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

       What’s in the New Funding Deal?

The bill extends federal funding through January 30 ensuring that essential government services remain operational. It also includes:

🔹 Full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture

🔹Funding for military construction and legislative agencies

🔹 Back pay for federal employees affected by the shutdown

🔹 Extended funding for SNAP through September

Additionally, the agreement includes a commitment to hold a December vote on extending healthcare subsidies which help millions of Americans afford health insurance.

This particular issue had been a sticking point for Democrats, who demanded action before agreeing to any new funding package.

   Reactions From Both Sides

According to Al-jazeera While the deal marks progress, it has also created tension within the Democratic Party. Some party leaders criticized the decision to vote with Republicans before securing firm healthcare guarantees.

California Governor Gavin Newsom called the move “pathetic,” while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argued that the package “fails to do anything of substance to fix America’s healthcare crisis.”

However, Senator Tim Kaine defended his decision, saying federal employees in his state were simply relieved to see progress:

"The workers I represent are saying thank you for ending this uncertainty.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has promised to bring the healthcare subsidy measure to a vote by mid-December. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated he does not plan to hold a similar vote in the House.

READ MORE ON HOW: Government Shutdown Deepens: Lawmakers Deadlocked as Americans Feel the Pain

The House of Representatives—currently controlled by Republicans—will reconvene on Wednesday to debate the Senate’s funding bill. With only a two-seat majority, every vote will be crucial.

If passed, the bill will go to President Donald Trump,who has already expressed his willingness to sign it.

"We’ll be opening up our country very quickly,” Trump told reporters. “The deal is very good.”

As the nation edges closer to reopening, millions of federal employees and citizens alike are hopeful that this bipartisan breakthrough will restore stability to essential government operations. While healthcare remains a contentious issue, this agreement represents a rare moment of cooperation in a sharply divided Congress.