Senate moves forward with funding bill to end US govt shutdown

The United States Senate on Sunday advanced a bipartisan funding bill aimed at ending the country’s longest government shutdown in history, which has lasted 40 days and affected hundreds of thousands of federal workers.

The bill, which passed with exactly 60 votes, authorizes government funding through January 30, 2026, and reverses layoffs carried out during the shutdown.

The measure emerged after days of negotiations between Democratic and Republican senators but excludes healthcare subsidies that Democrats had pushed for, prompting many of them to vote against it. 

The bill must now be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by President Donald Trump before the government can reopen.

“This healthcare crisis is so severe, so urgent, so devastating for families back home, that I cannot in good faith support this [resolution] that fails to address the healthcare crisis,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Despite opposition, Republican leader John Thune said the bill was the only viable option to end the shutdown. “After 40 long days, I’m hopeful we can bring this shutdown to the end,” he said before Sunday’s vote.

The compromise includes three appropriations bills to fund the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs through the 2026 fiscal year, guarantees retroactive pay for furloughed workers, and prevents further layoffs until late January. 

However, it does not settle the dispute over Affordable Care Act tax credits, which could raise healthcare premiums by an estimated 26% if they expire.

Thune pledged to allow a separate vote on healthcare subsidies in December, though House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will not bring such a bill to the floor.

Democrats in the House signaled strong opposition. “We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits,” said Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The prolonged shutdown the longest in US history has furloughed more than 700,000 workers, disrupted food aid programs, and reduced air travel nationwide. 

The Department of Transportation reported more than 2,500 flight cancellations on Sunday as air traffic controllers worked without pay.

The Senate will reconvene on Monday morning to continue voting on the measure, which could bring an end to a shutdown that has tested both the federal workforce and the nation’s patience.

(The Guardian UK)

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE