Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Nov 11: The US Senate on Monday approved a broad funding measure designed to end the nation’s 41-day government shutdown, the longest in American history, which has crippled federal operations and disrupted millions of lives across the country.
The bipartisan legislation, passed by a 60–40 vote, will now head to the House of Representatives for consideration before being sent to President Donald Trump for his signature. Once signed, it will reopen federal agencies, restore pay for furloughed workers, and extend government funding through January 2026, while also providing full-year budgets for several key departments.
The breakthrough came after intense negotiations between Senate leaders over the weekend. On Sunday, eight Democrats broke ranks to help advance the bill, paving the way for Monday’s final vote.
As part of the compromise, Republicans agreed to hold a separate vote by mid-December on extending health care tax benefits — a key Democratic demand. However, that concession sparked frustration among progressive lawmakers who wanted the issue directly addressed in the funding bill itself.
“The American people have now awoken to Trump’s health care crisis,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, announcing his opposition to the measure. “Democrats demanded real solutions, but Republicans have refused to move an inch. I cannot support a bill that fails to fix America’s health care crisis.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has recalled lawmakers to Washington, signalling that a House vote could take place later this week. Senate Republican leaders expressed confidence that President Trump will swiftly sign the legislation, formally ending the shutdown once it reaches his desk.
The shutdown — the longest in US history — has had far-reaching consequences, from delayed federal paychecks and suspended public services to disruptions in air travel and economic strain across several sectors.
If the House passes the bill and the President signs it into law, the move would mark a long-awaited resolution to a political standoff that has tested Washington’s ability to govern and left millions of Americans in uncertainty.