The longest-ever US government shutdown edged toward resolution on Monday after several Democratic senators broke ranks to join Republicans in passing a compromise funding deal by a 60–40 vote, a move that immediately drew backlash within the party.
Since the shutdown began on October 1, more than a million federal workers have gone without pay, while government services and benefits have faced growing disruptions.
In recent days, mounting air travel chaos including more than 1,000 daily flight cancellations — intensified political pressure on both parties to end the impasse.
“We’ll be opening up our country very quickly,” former President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, calling the deal “very good.”
Following the vote, Senate Republican Leader John Thune wrote on X that he was pleased to support “a clear path to ending this unnecessary shutdown in a responsible way that quickly pays federal workers and reopens the federal government.”
Among the Democrats who voted in favor was Senator John Fetterman, who defended his decision in a post on X: “Feed everyone. Pay our military, government workers, and Capitol Police. End the chaos in airports. Country over party.”
With the stopgap funding bill now passed by the Senate, the legislation heads to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which is expected to reconvene as early as Wednesday following Tuesday’s national holiday.
“It appears to us this morning that our long national nightmare is finally coming to an end, and we’re grateful for that,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Monday. “At least some Democrats now finally appear ready to do what Republicans, President Trump, and millions of hardworking Americans have been asking them to do for weeks.”
Johnson confirmed that he would call the House back into session later this week to consider the measure.
Obamacare at the center of the standoff
At the heart of the Senate deadlock was the Democratic push to extend health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), which are set to expire at the end of the year. Republicans insisted that any negotiations on health care take place only after the government is reopened.
If the subsidies lapse, millions of Americans who rely on marketplace insurance plans could see their premiums double.
Sunday’s breakthrough agreement would reopen the government through January, provide full-year funding for several key programs, and reverse some of the Trump administration’s federal worker layoffs.
The bill also restores funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports more than 42 million low-income Americans.
While Senate Republican leaders agreed to hold a future vote on health care, the deal offers no guarantee that the subsidies will ultimately be extended.
“After 40 days of uncertainty, I’m profoundly glad to be able to announce that nutrition programs, our veterans, and other critical priorities will have their full-year funding,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said late Sunday.
Divided democrats
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, one of eight Democrats who backed the compromise, called the vote “a big step forward toward protecting the health care of tens of millions of Americans.” She added that the agreement would still allow Democrats, despite being in the minority, to bring a health care measure to the floor.
But with no firm commitment on the subsidy extension, many Democrats were angered by what they viewed as a premature concession.
“Pathetic,” California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X in response to the agreement.
Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, who opposed the measure, said he could “not in good faith” support a bill that “fails to address the health care crisis.”
“This fight will and must continue,” Schumer vowed.
Some within the party also turned their frustration on Schumer’s leadership.
“Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership,” said Massachusetts Representative Seth Moulton.
AFP
