Bipartisan Senate deal advances to end record U.S. shutdown, restoring federal operations and setting stage for renewed Trump-era policy battles.
In a dramatic late-night session on Sunday, eight Senate Democrats broke ranks to join Republicans in advancing a crucial funding bill aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
The bipartisan agreement, crafted after marathon negotiations, will fund the federal government through January 30, temporarily restoring vital services and pay for millions of federal employees. It also guarantees a December vote on a key Affordable Care Act (ACA) bill — a move seen as a concession to Democratic concerns over health care protections.
According to CNN, the deal includes a reversal of President Donald Trump’s firings of federal employees and new legal barriers to prevent similar dismissals in the future. It also secures food stamp benefits through 2026, ensuring continued support for vulnerable families.
Democratic Senators Angus King, Jeanne Shaheen, and Maggie Hassan spearheaded talks on behalf of their caucus, while Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, pushed for a quick end to the political stalemate that had crippled Washington for weeks.
The larger legislative package — a combination of three full-year appropriations bills — allocates $203.5 million for congressional security, $852 million for U.S. Capitol Police, and significant funding for military construction, veterans affairs, and agriculture.
Although the measure omits the extension of enhanced ACA subsidies, it ensures a Senate vote on the issue later this year — leaving the door open for further negotiations but offering no guarantees of passage.
The next hurdle lies in the House of Representatives, where the package must clear another vote before reaching President Trump’s desk for signature. Lawmakers expect the process to take several days, but after weeks of partisan brinkmanship, the breakthrough signals that Washington may finally be inching toward normalcy.
If successful, the bill will not only reopen the government but also reset the political stage for fresh confrontations over health care, immigration, and fiscal policy as the 2026 budget battles loom.
