The U.S. Senate is close to reaching a deal to end the historic 40-day government shutdown, with as many as 10 Democratic senators, including moderates and some liberals, ready to support a funding bill that could reopen the government by Sunday evening or early Monday morning. The tentative agreement, negotiated by centrist Democrats and Republican Senate Appropriations Committee members, faced initial delays due to opposition from progressive Democrats seeking stronger guarantees on extending enhanced health insurance premium subsidies.
Moderate Democrats such as Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, alongside several others including Jacky Rosen, Tammy Baldwin, Mark Kelly, Jon Ossoff, Gary Peters, and Dick Durbin, engaged in behind-the-scenes talks and are expected to back the deal. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated plans to bring the funding measure to a vote if at least eight Democrats agree to advance the House-passed continuing resolution, which would fund the government temporarily through January 30, 2026.
The proposed legislation involves a minibus appropriations package that includes funding for military construction, veterans affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and the legislative branch for the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, the bill would reverse the layoffs of federal employees incurred during the shutdown, ensure back pay for furloughed workers, and extend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
While the deal marks a significant step toward ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history, it still needs to clear the House of Representatives and be signed by President Donald Trump. Some Democrats remain critical due to insufficient provisions for healthcare subsidies, a key issue left for a separate vote in December.
