Senate Passes Shutdown Deal, Sends Legislation to House for Final Vote/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Senate voted 60–40 to pass a bipartisan bill ending the 41-day government shutdown, sending it to the House for approval. The deal funds the government through January and reverses federal worker layoffs but omits guaranteed health care subsidy extensions. House lawmakers are expected to vote Wednesday, with President Trump signaling he’ll sign the bill.
Shutdown Deal Approved: Quick Look
- Senate passes shutdown-ending bill 60–40 after six weeks of gridlock.
- House to return Wednesday for final vote on the measure.
- President Trump says the U.S. will “open up very quickly.”
- Federal workers to receive back pay and job protections through January.
- Moderate Democrats broke ranks to push the deal forward.
- Progressive lawmakers call the compromise a “mistake” and “betrayal.”
- Health care subsidies to be revisited in a December Senate vote.
- The 41-day shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — nears its end.
Senate Passes Shutdown Deal, Sends Legislation to House for Final Vote
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill late Monday night to end the longest government shutdown in American history, moving the country one step closer to reopening federal agencies and getting hundreds of thousands of federal workers paid.
The bill, approved in a 60–40 vote, now heads to the House of Representatives, which has been in recess since mid-September. House lawmakers are expected to return to Washington by Wednesday afternoon to vote on the measure. President Donald Trump has signaled support, telling reporters Monday, “We’re going to be opening up our country very quickly.”
The shutdown, which began October 1 and stretched into its 41st day, has disrupted food assistance programs, slowed air travel, and left federal employees unpaid for weeks. Though the shutdown could technically continue for several more days until the House acts, Senate passage marks a significant turning point in the crisis.
How the Stalemate Was Broken
The breakthrough came after weeks of gridlock and mounting pressure, especially on a group of moderate Democrats. Three former governors—Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine—brokered a compromise with Senate Republicans.
Under the deal:
- Three bipartisan annual spending bills will move forward immediately.
- All other government funding will be extended through late January.
- A mid-December vote will be held on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care subsidies.
- Mass layoffs of federal workers initiated by the Trump administration during the shutdown will be reversed.
- Workers will be protected from further reductions through January and will receive full back pay.
“This was the only option left on the table,” said Shaheen, addressing reporters. “It gives us a path to reopen the government and fight for health care in the weeks ahead.”
The Key Votes
In addition to Shaheen, Hassan, and King, five other Senate Democrats voted to advance the bill:
- Sen. Tim Kaine (VA)
- Sen. Dick Durbin (IL)
- Sen. John Fetterman (PA)
- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (NV)
- Sen. Jacky Rosen (NV)
These eight votes were crucial. While as many as 12 Democrats were involved in negotiations, only five switched sides Monday night, delivering the exact number Republicans needed to reach the 60-vote threshold.
The rest of the Democratic caucus—including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer—opposed the bill, arguing it gave up too much in exchange for too little.
Backlash Within the Democratic Party
The vote has ignited a fierce debate inside the Democratic Party. Many progressive lawmakers and activists have accused the eight defecting senators of surrendering leverage in the health care fight.
Schumer said he could not “in good faith” support the deal after meeting with his caucus for more than two hours on Sunday. “We will not give up the fight,” he vowed. “This was a warning shot on health care.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) called the decision to accept the deal a “horrific mistake.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (CT) said voters had given Democrats a mandate to “hold firm.”
House progressives also condemned the compromise.
Rep. Greg Casar (TX), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called it a “betrayal” of working families who rely on health care subsidies.
Rep. Angie Craig (MN) criticized the bill as weak and said it provided “no guarantees, only promises.”
However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) expressed support for Schumer’s leadership, signaling the party will stay unified heading into further negotiations in December.
What the Deal Includes
The Senate legislation includes:
- Immediate funding for key areas like food assistance, veterans’ services, and the legislative branch.
- Back pay for federal workers.
- Reimbursement for states that covered federal programs during the shutdown.
- No more layoffs until at least January 31.
It also opens the door for a mid-December Senate vote on whether to extend enhanced ACA subsidies, which are set to expire January 1.
Health Care Battle Still Looms
Despite the vote to end the shutdown, the core issue that triggered the standoff—whether to extend COVID-era health insurance subsidies—remains unresolved.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has said he will not commit to bringing the ACA subsidy vote to the House floor. “We are open to reforming the unaffordable care act,” he said Monday, but did not promise any specific action.
Some Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins (ME), have expressed openness to a compromise that includes income caps or eligibility limits. “We do need to act by the end of the year,” Collins said, noting Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) had promised a vote.
Still, many in the GOP—including President Trump—have long sought to eliminate the ACA altogether. Trump has recently said the law should be repealed or fundamentally rewritten.
A Preview of the December Fight
As a preview of the challenges ahead, the Senate on Monday held a symbolic vote on a one-year extension of the ACA tax credits. The measure failed along party lines, 47-53, underscoring the divide.
Democrats say they will continue pushing for permanent subsidies. Republicans want changes, such as income caps, and some argue that subsidies should go directly to individuals rather than through ACA exchanges.
What Happens Next
The House is expected to vote on the bill as early as Wednesday. Speaker Johnson has urged members to return to Washington immediately to minimize further travel disruptions.
Once passed and signed by President Trump, the measure will:
- Reopen the federal government
- Restore pay for furloughed and unpaid workers
- Set up December negotiations on health care
Airports, federal offices, and food aid programs could begin returning to full operation by the end of the week.
Bottom Line: The Senate’s approval brings a long-awaited breakthrough, but the fight over health care subsidies will continue—and likely define the next chapter of Washington’s political battles.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.