US Senate advances deal to end record 40-day shutdown

The US Senate took a critical procedural step on November 9 toward ending the longest government shutdown in US history, which has persisted for 40 days. 

The move signals the first major legislative action to restore federal services, which have been crippled by delays in food aid, airport disruption, and furloughs of hundreds of thousands of federal workers.

The proposed resolution

Senators voted to advance a House-passed bill, which will be amended to fund the federal government through January 30, 2026, and include three full-year appropriations bills. 

The legislative process is expected to take several days: if the amended bill passes the Senate, it must then return to the House of Representatives for final approval before being sent to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.

This bipartisan compromise emerged under intense economic and political pressure, with the shutdown entering its sixth week and threatening travel chaos during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. 

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett had warned that the prolonged closure could risk tipping the economy into contraction this quarter.

Key provisions and compromise

Under the terms of the agreement, Republicans consented to a December vote on extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a key priority for Democrats in the funding negotiations.

The deal also includes provisions to:

• Fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for one year. 
• Reverse some of the administration's mass layoffs of federal employees. 
• Ensure that all federal employees, including members of the military, Coast Guard, TSA screeners, and air-traffic controllers, will receive their back wages.

The bipartisan resolution was reportedly brokered by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Angus King (I-ME). However, not all Democrats were on board, as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted against the measure.

Mounting pressure

The shutdown's impact has become widespread. Beyond furloughs, it has led to:

• The closure of National Parks.
• Delays in food aid programs.
• Widespread flight disruptions due to staff shortages in air traffic control.

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) commented on the changing political climate, stating that "The effects of the shutdown have finally caught up to everyone... all of a sudden it looks like things will come together." If the measure clears Congress this week and President Trump signs it promptly, the federal government could reopen within days.

While the political breakthrough occurred on November 9, the actual date the government officially reopened would have been a few days later, likely around November 11, or November 12, after all legislative steps and the Presidential signature were completed.