The United States Senate has approved a funding bill intended to conclude the ongoing government shutdown. The legislation passed late Monday in a 60-40 vote.
Senate Vote Details
Fifty-two Republicans and eight Democrats supported the measure. Independent Senator Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, also voted in favor. Senator Rand Paul was the sole Republican to vote against the bill.
Impact of Government Shutdown
The shutdown has resulted in the suspension of numerous government services since October. Approximately 1.4 million federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave or are working without compensation. The effects have extended to various sectors, including US air travel and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports 41 million low-income individuals. On Monday, over 2,400 flights across the US were canceled, with more than 9,000 delayed, according to FlightAware.
Path to Enactment
The bill now proceeds to the House of Representatives for consideration. House Speaker Mike Johnson recalled members to Washington following the Senate's vote. Discussions in the House are scheduled to commence on Wednesday. President Donald Trump has indicated he would sign the funding bill into law upon its passage by both chambers of Congress.
Key Provisions of the Funding Deal
The agreement, negotiated over the weekend, includes:
- Extension of federal government funding until January 30.
- Full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture.
- Funding allocated for military construction and legislative agencies.
- Guarantees for federal workers to receive back pay for the shutdown period.
- Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September.
- An agreement for a vote in December on extending healthcare subsidies, which are set to expire this year.
Political Context
The deal involved negotiations between Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the White House, with Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and Independent Senator Angus King participating. Some Democrats expressed concerns regarding the absence of immediate guarantees on healthcare. Senator Tim Kaine, who supported the bill, referenced the impact on federal employees as a reason for agreement. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has committed to addressing healthcare subsidies by the second week of December. House Speaker Johnson has stated he will not bring the healthcare subsidies measure for a vote in the House.