Senate reaches bipartisan deal to end historic gov’t shutdown as House prepares for vote

Lawmakers in Washington have reached a tentative bipartisan agreement to end the nation’s longest-ever government shutdown, setting the stage for swift votes in both chambers of Congress to reopen federal agencies and restore funding.

The Senate reached the breakthrough late Sunday night when eight Democrats joined Republicans in advancing a funding measure backed by the White House. In return, Democrats secured a commitment for a future vote on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. The package includes three full-year spending bills for specific agencies and a short-term extension to fund the rest of the government at current levels through January 30.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the floor Monday that lawmakers should move “as quickly as possible” to approve the deal and bring the shutdown to an end. “I said that we will be voting on the final package in the very near future, and I’m hoping that will be hours and not days.” He urged colleagues not to obstruct the process, emphasizing, “I’m grateful that the end is in sight, but I would encourage every member of this body, Democrat or Republican, pro-bill or anti-bill, not to stand in the way of being able to deliver the coming relief quickly. The American people have suffered for long enough.” Because Senate rules require unanimous consent to expedite a final vote, even one objection could delay the process. Still, optimism grew  as both parties signaled readiness to move forward.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told House members in a conference call that they should begin returning to Washington immediately to prepare for a vote on the Senate’s plan, with members advised to travel early due to nationwide flight delays stemming from the shutdown’s ripple effects on federal operations. Johnson expressed confidence that the measure will pass, according to multiple sources familiar with the call.

Johnson said he intends to provide a 36-hour notice before votes begin and is aiming for a possible vote as early as Wednesday, depending on the Senate’s timing. Johnson told reporters: “There’ll be long days and long nights here for the foreseeable future to make up for all this lost time that was imposed upon us.” He also confirmed plans to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., before the House proceeds to vote on a rule governing debate for the Senate’s funding deal, followed by final passage.

The shutdown, which began in mid-September, forced tens of thousands of federal workers to go without pay and disrupted critical services. Among the hardest-hit sectors was air travel, as staffing shortages among air traffic controllers contributed to widespread flight delays and cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration has struggled with staffing shortages even before the shutdown, and the crisis has deepened operational strain across major airports.

Amid the growing frustration, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Monday to criticize controllers who called out of work during the funding lapse, while praising those who stayed on duty. “For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country … For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU.”

If both chambers approve the funding package, it would reopen the government, provide temporary financial stability through late January, and give Congress more time to negotiate long-term appropriations.

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