A bipartisan group of Senate Democrats and Republicans advanced a measure late Sunday to reopen the government after the longest shutdown in U.S. history, clearing the first procedural hurdle needed to move the bill forward.
The agreement would fund the government through Jan. 30 and provide full-year funding for three appropriations bills, including full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through Sept. 30, 2026. The Senate vote on the procedural motion was 60 to 40, with seven Democrats and one independent joining most Republicans to overcome the 60-vote threshold required to end debate. With cloture achieved, remaining Senate votes will require only a simple majority, but the legislation still must pass the House to halt the shutdown, restore pay for air traffic controllers and other federal workers, and resume federal food benefits.
The continuing resolution also contains provisions to reverse any reductions in force of federal employees that occurred during the shutdown, bar further layoffs through the end of the fiscal year, and provide backpay for all federal employees for the shutdown period.
Senators had sparred for weeks over short-term spending measures as Democrats sought to preserve Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. While many Democrats previously opposed a string of stopgap bills, some accepted a more modest framework in this deal. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who voted to advance the measure, said the agreement “guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do.” The package is also expected to include an informal commitment to hold a Senate vote on health care — on a Democratic bill of their choosing — by the second week of December, though that pledge is not part of the written text.
The compromise deepened divisions within the Democratic Party. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer opposed the deal, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called it “a terrible mistake,” urging colleagues to keep fighting for health care. Several House Democrats vowed to reject the measure if it reaches the floor; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Democrats “will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits” and promised to battle the bill in the House. Rep. Greg Casar of Texas labeled the deal a “betrayal” and “capitulation” for not addressing health care costs.
Moderate Democrats who backed the move defended their votes as the best available option to end immediate harms from the shutdown. Supporters argued constituents expect lawmakers to act to reopen government or risk political consequences at the ballot box. The House has not held a floor vote since Sept. 19 and earlier passed a government funding measure without Democratic support.