US Senate Approves Spending Bill, Moves Closer to Ending Government Shutdown
The United States is edging closer to ending its record-breaking government shutdown after the Senate approved a temporary spending package on Monday night, voting 60 to 40 in favor of funding the federal government through January 30 and restoring pay for hundreds of thousands of federal workers.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for approval before heading to President Donald Trump for signature. House Speaker Mike Johnson has urged lawmakers to return to Washington immediately to vote, with hopes of passing the measure by Wednesday.
The Senate vote followed weekend negotiations that saw seven Democrats and one independent join Republicans to advance the updated spending package. The deal also includes three-year appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, military construction projects, veterans affairs, and congressional operations.
However, the agreement does not resolve the contentious issue of extending healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which benefit 24 million Americans. Senate Republicans have agreed only to hold a vote on the subsidies by December, raising the possibility of another shutdown in January.
The vote sparked criticism from Democrats who opposed the deal, arguing that it risks raising health insurance premiums and leaving millions without coverage. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the move on the Senate floor, describing it as worsening an already dysfunctional healthcare system.
Supporters of the deal, including Senators John Fetterman, Angus King, and Catherine Cortez Masto, said the decision prioritized ending the shutdown’s impact on federal workers and essential services, emphasizing the urgent need to address lapses in funding for programs like food assistance and aviation services.
Analysts warned that the agreement is a stopgap, and without further action on healthcare subsidies, the government could face another shutdown early next year.
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