US Senate Passes Key Funding Bill to End Historic Government Shutdown

In a major breakthrough after weeks of political deadlock, the US Senate has passed a crucial funding bill aimed at ending what has become the longest government shutdown in American history. The bill, which passed in a 60-40 vote late Monday, will keep the government running until the end of January, bringing relief to over a million unpaid federal employees and millions more affected by suspended public services.

The legislation received bipartisan support, with nearly all Republicans voting in favor and eight Democrats breaking ranks to support the measure. It now moves to the House of Representatives, where lawmakers are expected to reconvene on Wednesday. If approved, the bill will head to President Donald Trump, who has already indicated his willingness to sign it.

A Step Toward Restoring Normalcy

The funding package ensures that federal workers will receive back pay for the duration of the shutdown, while critical services—such as air travel monitoring and food assistance—can resume full operations. The measure extends funding for the Department of Agriculture, military construction, and legislative agencies until January 30. It also secures food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) until September next year.

Senator Susan Collins, one of the architects of the bill, expressed relief after the late-night vote, saying, “We are going to reopen government, and ensure that federal employees receive the compensation they deserve.”

Political Tensions and Divided Support

Despite the sense of relief, the vote exposed deep divisions within the Democratic Party. Some Democratic senators and state leaders criticized their colleagues for supporting the deal without securing firm commitments on healthcare subsidies, which are due to expire this year.

However, Senator Tim Kaine, one of the Democrats who backed the bill, defended the decision, stating that the compromise was necessary to “get government employees back to work and the country moving again.”

The bill also includes an agreement to hold a separate vote in December on extending healthcare subsidies—a key demand from Democrats that remains unresolved.

Impact of the Shutdown

The prolonged shutdown, which began in October, forced 1.4 million federal employees into unpaid leave or forced labor without pay. The halt in operations disrupted critical services, from air travel to food aid programs, leaving millions of Americans frustrated and uncertain.

According to flight tracker FlightAware, more than 2,400 flights were cancelled and 9,000 delayed across the US on Monday alone due to the shortage of staff and disrupted air traffic control schedules.

What Happens Next

The focus now shifts to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson has called lawmakers back from recess to deliberate on the bill. With a razor-thin two-seat majority, every vote will be crucial for the bill’s passage.

If approved by the House, the bill will reach President Trump, who stated earlier, “We’ll be opening up our country very quickly—the deal is very good.”

As the United States edges closer to reopening its government, millions of Americans are hoping this bipartisan effort marks a turning point toward political stability and restored confidence in public leadership.