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The Senate has approved a stopgap funding bill after 41 days of a record-long shutdown, but the journey to reopen the government isn't over yet.
On Monday (November 10) evening, the Senate voted 60-40 to approve a measure to fund most federal agencies through January 30, marking a key step toward ending the historic government shutdown, per NPR. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives and must pass in the chamber before President Donald Trump can sign it into law and officially reopen the government.
The Senate breakthrough came after a weekend of negotiations led by a group of moderate Democrats who sought to end the stalemate. The deal emerged when the group agreed to drop the party's immediate demand for a guaranteed extension of Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, instead accepting Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s pledge to hold a separate vote on the issue by mid-December. That concession cleared the way for seven Democrats and one independent to join nearly all Republicans in passing the measure.
The bill also includes provisions to restore federal employees affected by the shutdown, guarantee back pay, and fund programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September 2026.
Many Senate Democrats criticized the compromise, warning that Republicans may not follow through on the promised ACA vote once the government reopens.
But now the focus shifts to the House, where the measure faces an uncertain path. Some Democrats have signaled they will not support the Senate compromise, while hardline Republicans may resist any short-term deal that lacks deeper spending cuts.
On Monday, Speaker Mike Johnson said lawmakers will have 36 hours’ notice to return to Capitol Hill for a vote.
“At the very moment that they do that final vote, I will call all House members to return as quickly as possible,” Johnson said.
If the House approves the bill and Trump signs it, federal operations could resume as early as midweek, bringing relief to millions of government workers who have missed multiple paychecks. However, with funding set to expire again in January, another fiscal showdown could be just weeks away.
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