AT A GLANCE
- The Senate struck a bipartisan deal to reopen the government, funding agencies through Jan. 30, 2026.
- The plan includes full-year funding for Agriculture and two other departments, plus SNAP funding through next September.
- Democrats conceded on Affordable Care Act subsidy extensions, settling for a December vote.
- The bill faces an uncertain path in the House, which remains on recess.
Bipartisan Senate Deal Could End Historic Shutdown, But House Resistance Looms
After 40 days of furloughs, airport delays, and empty paychecks, a bipartisan coalition in the U.S. Senate announced a tentative deal Sunday night to reopen the federal government — a breakthrough that could bring an end to one of the longest shutdowns in American history.
The agreement, negotiated by Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, received the blessing of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R–S.D.) and the White House. The measure is expected to win at least 60 votes in the Senate, but still requires passage in the House and President Donald Trump’s signature.
“This shutdown has stretched our workforce and our patience beyond reason,” Thune said on the Senate floor. “I’m hopeful that we can finally bring it to an end.”
The proposal combines three full-year appropriations bills with a continuing resolution that would keep the rest of the government funded at existing levels through Jan. 30.
Key provisions include:
- Full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through next September.
- Reversal of Trump’s layoff orders for federal employees via “reduction in force” notices.
- No immediate renewal of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies — a major Democratic concession.
Democrats accepted a delayed vote on ACA subsidies, scheduled for mid-December, in exchange for assurances the issue will reach the Senate floor.
The absence of ACA extensions has triggered division within the Democratic caucus.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.) blasted Republicans for “creating a health care crisis in the middle of a shutdown,” while Sen. Ruben Gallego (D–Ariz.) vowed to oppose the deal entirely.
“I will not turn my back on the 24 million Americans who will see their premiums more than double if we don’t extend these tax credits,” Gallego said.
Other Democrats, like Sen. Tim Kaine (D–Va.), defended the compromise. “This deal guarantees a vote to extend ACA premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do,” he said. “If they don’t, voters will replace them with someone who will.”
The Senate could vote on the deal as early as Sunday night. Even with broad support, a single senator could delay final passage for days.
Once approved, the bill will move to the House of Representatives, which has been on recess since September. Speaker Mike Johnson (R–La.) has not committed to allowing a vote on the ACA extensions, and some House Democrats are signaling hesitation over the deal’s concessions.
Still, after weeks of stalemate and strain on millions of federal workers, the Senate’s move marks the most significant progress yet toward restoring normal government operations.
