US Senate Approves Deal to End Longest Government Shutdown in American History

The US Senate on Monday approved a bipartisan compromise to end the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history, breaking a weeks-long stalemate that had disrupted food aid for millions, left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay, and snarled air travel.

The funding bill passed by a 60–40 vote, with nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats in support. Democrats had pushed unsuccessfully to link government funding to health insurance subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. While the compromise schedules a December vote on extending those subsidies — which benefit about 24 million Americans — it offers no guarantee they will continue.

The deal restores funding for federal agencies that ran out of money on October 1 and halts President Donald Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce, preventing layoffs until January 30.

The measure now moves to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed hope of passing it as soon as Wednesday and sending it to Trump for his signature. Trump has praised the agreement as “very good.” The plan would keep the government funded through January 30, maintaining the current trajectory that adds roughly $1.8 trillion annually to the nation’s $38 trillion debt.

The agreement follows a string of Democratic victories in recent state and local elections — including in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City — and has sparked frustration among some Democrats who argue the deal gives away leverage without securing key health funding guarantees.

“We wish we could do more,” said Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat. “The shutdown seemed like an opportunity to push for better policy. It didn’t work.”

A Reuters/Ipsos poll in late October found that 50% of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, compared to 43% blaming Democrats.

Markets reacted positively to news of the breakthrough, with US stocks rising Monday on expectations of government operations resuming soon.

Still, questions remain about Trump’s unilateral spending cuts and workforce reductions, which Democrats say overstep Congress’s fiscal authority. The new deal includes no explicit safeguards preventing similar actions in the future.

On a positive note, the agreement ensures funding for the SNAP food assistance program through September 30 next year, shielding it from disruption even if another shutdown threat arises.