Senate Moves Toward Bipartisan Agreement to Reopen Government After 40-Day Shutdown

The Senate appeared poised late Sunday to approve a bipartisan agreement that would reopen the federal government, which has been partially shut down since Oct. 1. According to a person familiar with the talks, the measure has secured the backing of enough Democratic senators to clear the 60-vote procedural threshold. If enacted, it would finance government operations through the end of January.

The plan was negotiated by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., the White House, and three members of the Democratic caucus—Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; and independent Sen. Angus King of Maine. Thune said he was “hopeful” the compromise would bring the 40-day shutdown to a close.

Central to the impasse has been the fate of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, which are scheduled to lapse on Dec. 31. The bipartisan deal does not extend the subsidies, but it guarantees that the Senate will hold a separate vote in December on a bill selected by Democrats that would continue the credits. More than 20 million people use the subsidies to lower monthly health-insurance costs.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he will oppose the agreement, criticizing Republicans and President Donald Trump for declining to include an immediate extension of the ACA assistance. Schumer argued that letting the credits expire would sharply raise premiums for millions of policyholders in 2026.

Despite Schumer’s opposition, at least eight Democrats or Democratic-aligned independents have indicated support, the person familiar with the negotiations said. Their votes would bring total support to 61 senators—one more than needed to advance the bill.

If the Senate passes the legislation, the House of Representatives would still have to adopt it, and President Trump would need to sign it, before federal agencies could fully reopen. The House remains on standby to consider the package once it clears the upper chamber.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., announced he will vote for the measure. Kaine said the agreement puts Congress “on a path” toward extending the ACA tax credits and ensures protections for federal workers. “Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it,” he added, noting possible electoral consequences for those who refuse.

For weeks, the Senate has been deadlocked over the Republican majority’s insistence on a short-term funding bill that omitted any action on the ACA subsidies. Most Democrats responded by withholding support, resulting in the longest shutdown since 2023.

Key Elements of the Agreement

Short-term funding: The bill would keep government agencies operating through Jan. 31, providing time for broader budget talks.

Health-care vote: Democrats secured a commitment for a December floor vote on legislation of their choosing to extend the ACA premium tax credits.

Workforce protections: All permanent layoffs implemented during the shutdown would be reversed. The agreement also bars additional reductions-in-force through the end of fiscal 2026.

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Back pay: Federal employees—many of whom were furloughed—would receive their regular salaries for the shutdown period.

Budget process: Provisions call for a bipartisan approach to future budgeting and restrict reliance on continuing resolutions issued solely by the executive branch.

Nutrition assistance: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would be funded through September, ensuring benefits for about 42 million participants. SNAP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; details on eligibility and benefits are available from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.

Next Steps

The Senate was expected to hold a procedural vote Sunday night, followed by a final vote as early as Monday. Passage would send the bill to the House, where leaders have indicated they will move quickly once the Senate acts. If both chambers approve the measure, it will go to the president’s desk for his signature.

Until the legislation is enacted, hundreds of thousands of federal employees remain in limbo, and numerous government services continue to operate at diminished capacity. Agencies ranging from national parks to tax processing centers have been affected, with many workers either furloughed or working without pay.

While the agreement would provide temporary relief, lawmakers will still need to address long-term funding and the future of the ACA subsidies before the new Jan. 31 deadline. The December vote on the health-care measure is expected to be a focal point in the next phase of negotiations.

The current shutdown is the first since 2023 and stems from disagreements over health-care policy and budget procedures. If the pending deal becomes law, it would mark the end of 40 days of partial federal closure and restore government operations ahead of the holiday season.

Crédito da imagem: Eric Lee | Getty Images