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By Aliss Higham
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A bipartisan group of Senate Democrats and Republicans reached an agreement late on Sunday night to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, taking the first procedural vote on the measure to reopen the government.
Eight senators in the Democratic caucus broke ranks to advance a Republican proposal to fund most federal agencies through to January. The deal would keep the government funded through January 30 and provide full-year funding for several appropriations bills.
It marks the first agreement after 40 days and counting of government shutdown, which has caused chaos for federal employees, food assistance recipients and air travel across the U.S.
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Why It Matters
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are usually delivered monthly to around 42 million low- and no-income Americans to help them pay for groceries. But November has marked the first time benefits have not gone out on schedule.
SNAP funding has been severely disrupted because the program's regular appropriations expired in early October. Initially, President Donald Trump's administration announced that benefits would be frozen, citing legal restrictions on using contingency funds to cover regular payments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which funds the program, later said it would partially fund benefits for November. Several legal challenges have been mounted against the White House, with the most recent ruling ordering the federal government to pay full benefits to the 42 million recipients nationwide.
What To Know
The proposed spending plan funds the federal government through to January, but provides full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as congressional operations through the current fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.
This means SNAP benefits would be fully appropriated, averting the risk of another food assistance cut off after January 30 if no appropriations bill is passed to fund the government beyond then.
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The agreement to end the shutdown also ensures that federal employees furloughed during the lapse are rehired and receive back pay, and requires agencies to notify Congress in writing about the withdrawal of layoff notices and provide details on the back pay owed.
As part of the agreement to move the legislation forward, Senate Republicans pledged a future vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA)—a major sticking point for Democrats—health insurance tax credits, which are set to expire at year’s end. Republicans have signaled they will oppose the extension, potentially causing premiums to rise sharply for the millions of Americans who depend on ACA coverage.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump said on Sunday evening: “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending. We'll never agree to give any substantial money or any money to really, prisoners, illegals that come into our country. And I think the Democrats understand that. And it looks like we're getting close to the shutdown ending. You'll know very soon.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said: “It was a good vote tonight. Hopefully, we'll get an opportunity tomorrow to set up the next votes. Of course, that's going to take some cooperation and consent."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said: "We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives, where Mike Johnson will be compelled to end the seven-week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation."
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat who voted in favor of the spending deal, said: "This legislation will protect federal workers from baseless firings, reinstate those who have been wrongfully terminated during the shutdown, and ensure federal workers receive back pay, as required by a law I got passed in 2019."
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat, posted on X regarding the vote: "My red line has always been lowering health costs for Americans. Donald Trump and Republicans don’t want an agreement that meets that bar. I’m a no."
What Happens Next
Once the bill clears the 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster, any remaining Senate votes require only a simple majority. The legislation must still pass the House before the shutdown can officially end.
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