WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate cleared a critical procedural hurdle Sunday night, voting 60-40 to advance a stopgap funding measure that could finally end the longest government shutdown in American history after 40 grueling days.
The cloture vote, which limits debate and allows the bill to proceed to amendments and a final vote, saw eight Democrats — including Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) — join Republicans in breaking a Democratic filibuster. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) called the moment a turning point: “After 40 long days, I’m hopeful we can bring this shutdown to an end.”
The compromise funds most federal agencies through Jan. 30, 2026, while providing full-year appropriations for veterans affairs, agriculture, and the legislative branch. It also reinstates more than 4,000 federal workers targeted for layoffs during the shutdown and blocks further reductions-in-force until the funding expires, offering immediate relief to furloughed employees who have gone without paychecks.
The Stakes: Worker Protections and Health Care Trade-Offs
Negotiated amid escalating chaos — from flight delays at major airports due to understaffed air traffic control to stalled SNAP benefits for millions — the deal prioritizes stability over sweeping policy changes.
Key provisions include:
- Back Pay Guarantee: Ensures furloughed workers receive retroactive compensation, as required by law.
- Aviation Safety Boost: Addresses staffing shortages threatening Thanksgiving travel.
- No ACA Extension — For Now: Democrats’ push for a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, set to expire Dec. 31, was deferred. In exchange, Republicans committed to a Senate floor vote on the issue in December, a concession that swayed moderate Democrats weary of prolonged shutdown impacts.
The shutdown, which began Oct. 1 over partisan battles on spending and health care, has furloughed hundreds of thousands, shuttered national parks, and delayed services for veterans and low-income families. Sunday marked its 40th day, surpassing the 2018-19 record of 35 days.
Party Lines Fracture: Defections and Defiance
The vote highlighted deep Democratic divisions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) voted against it, decrying the lack of health care protections: “I could not in good faith support this proposal.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) echoed the frustration, vowing opposition in the House: “We will not support spending legislation that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.”
Critics like California Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted the compromise on social media as “bending the knee,” while Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) questioned leadership resolve. Yet, supporters like Sen. Durbin argued pragmatism prevailed: “The bill is not the same as the one Democrats rejected 14 previous times. From the precarious situation with air travel to our staff working without pay, the time to act is now.”
Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) opposed the measure, while his colleague Kaine backed it for its worker safeguards. The defections underscore the mounting toll: unpaid federal employees, food aid disruptions, and holiday travel risks that demanded compromise.
Path Forward: House, Amendments, and Trump’s Nod
With the Senate vote secured, the bill now faces a marathon of amendments before a final chamber vote, potentially wrapping up this week. It would then return to the House, where Democrats hold a narrow majority but grapple with internal rifts. President Trump, returning from Florida, expressed optimism: “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending.”
If passed and signed, the measure would restore operations just in time for the holidays, easing burdens on 2.1 million affected workers and stabilizing services nationwide. But the December ACA showdown looms large, signaling more fiscal fights ahead.
This breakthrough offers a fragile reprieve in a divided Washington, reminding lawmakers — and the public — of the human cost when gridlock grinds government to a halt.
