- Senate passes 60–40 vote to end historic U.S. government shutdown
- Health insurance subsidies for 24 million Americans to face vote in December
- Democrats express frustration over lack of subsidy guarantees
The U.S. Senate on Monday, November 10, 2025, approved a bipartisan compromise to end the longest government shutdown in American history, concluding weeks of political deadlock that disrupted food benefits, halted federal paychecks, and caused major air travel delays.
The measure passed in a 60–40 vote, backed by nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats. The Democrats had pushed to tie the funding package to the renewal of health insurance subsidies set to expire at the end of the year — a program supporting 24 million Americans — but that effort fell short. The agreement only guarantees a December vote on the subsidies, not their continuation.
The deal restores funding for federal agencies that lost support on October 1 and temporarily halts President Donald Trump’s plan to cut federal jobs, blocking layoffs until January 30.
Next, the legislation moves to the Republican-led House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated he aims to pass it by Wednesday and send it to President Trump, who called the agreement “very good.”
The package extends government funding through January 30, maintaining the current fiscal path that adds roughly $1.8 trillion annually to the $38 trillion national debt.
The decision comes a week after Democrats scored major electoral wins in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, where a democratic socialist was elected mayor. Many Democrats expressed frustration that the final deal lacks a firm commitment to preserving health subsidies.
“We wish we could do more,” said Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat. “The shutdown seemed like a chance to push for better policy. It didn’t work.”
A Reuters/Ipsos poll in late October found 50% of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 43% blamed Democrats.
Markets responded positively — U.S. stocks rose on Monday following news of the agreement.
Despite reopening the government, the deal includes no new restrictions to prevent Trump from imposing additional spending cuts, a power he has previously exercised without congressional approval. However, it does secure funding for the SNAP food assistance program through September 30, 2026, ensuring continued benefits even if another shutdown occurs later in the year.
