The U.S. Senate voted 60-40 Monday night to approve legislation reopening the federal government, moving the country closer to ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, lasted 41 days, halting key federal services and leaving hundreds of thousands of workers without pay. The measure now heads to the House of Representatives, which has been in recess since mid-September, for a vote expected Wednesday afternoon.
President Donald Trump signaled support for the agreement, saying the government would reopen “very quickly” once the House approves the bill.
The final deal came after weeks of gridlock between Democrats, who pushed to extend expiring health care tax credits, and Republicans, who refused to negotiate on that issue. Facing growing pressure from voters and worsening effects of the shutdown — including delayed food aid, flight disruptions, and unpaid federal employees — five moderate Democrats joined Republicans to break the stalemate.
The legislation reverses the mass firings of federal workers initiated during the shutdown, ensures that employees are paid retroactively, and protects them from additional layoffs through January.
A small bipartisan group, led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Angus King, brokered the deal. It funds most federal agencies through late January and guarantees a Senate vote by mid-December on whether to extend the health care subsidies that had been at the center of the dispute.
Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, opposed the agreement, arguing it gave up leverage without securing long-term health care relief. Progressive lawmakers in both chambers criticized the compromise, calling it a setback for affordable health care.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged members to return to Washington “as soon as possible,” acknowledging travel delays caused by the shutdown. The House vote is expected midweek, potentially ending the shutdown before the weekend.
The Senate also held a separate vote Monday on a one-year extension of the health care subsidies, which failed 47-53along party lines. Lawmakers are expected to revisit the issue in December as part of the new deal.
