U.S. Senate Passes Bill to End Historic 41-Day Government Shutdown

UPDATE: The U.S. Senate has just passed critical legislation to reopen the government, effectively bringing the historic 41-day shutdown closer to an end. A decisive 60-40 vote was achieved after a small group of Democrats broke ranks to strike a deal with Republicans, despite fierce opposition from within their own party.

This urgent development comes as the House of Representatives, which has been on recess since mid-September, prepares to reconvene and vote on the legislation. House Speaker Mike Johnson is calling for lawmakers to return to Washington “right now” to address the ongoing delays affecting federal services and workers.

The Senate’s decision marks a significant conclusion to a grueling stalemate that began on October 1, 2023. The shutdown has severely impacted federal services, causing delays in food aid and affecting hundreds of thousands of unpaid federal workers. President Donald Trump expressed his support for the bill, stating, “we’re going to be opening up our country very quickly.”

The breakthrough followed intense negotiations led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Angus King, who agreed to advance bipartisan spending bills and extend government funding until late January. In exchange, Republicans have promised a Senate vote on health care subsidies by mid-December, although many remain skeptical about this commitment.

Senator Shaheen stated, “this was the option on the table” after weeks of inaction. The legislation also includes provisions to reverse mass layoffs of federal workers initiated by the Trump administration, ensuring that federal employees will be compensated once the government reopens.

Despite the breakthrough, many Democrats voiced their discontent over the vote. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized the decision, stating he could not “in good faith” support it after discussions with his caucus. He emphasized that Democrats will not relent in their fight for affordable health care.

The implications of this vote extend beyond immediate funding. The political landscape surrounding health care will be crucial as both parties gear up for the promised vote on subsidies. Speaker Johnson has not committed to bringing the health care measure to the House floor, highlighting the uncertainty that looms over future negotiations.

As this situation continues to develop, lawmakers are under pressure to address the needs of millions of Americans who depend on government services and health care support. With the Senate set to return to discuss health care, all eyes will be on how both parties navigate this contentious issue.

This is a developing story. Follow us for real-time updates as the situation unfolds.