After 40 days of political paralysis that furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers and strained critical services across the nation, the U.S. Senate has finally taken a decisive step toward ending the longest government shutdown in American history. In a late-night procedural vote on Sunday, a bipartisan coalition narrowly advanced a compromise funding bill, offering the clearest sign yet that the record-breaking impasse may soon come to an end. For millions of Americans asking, “Is the government shutdown over?”—the answer is not yet, but for the first time in weeks, there’s a tangible path forward.
This latest government shutdown update signals cautious optimism. While the finish line is in sight, several legislative hurdles remain before federal operations can fully resume.
A Breakthrough
The breakthrough followed days of intense negotiations between moderate Democrats and Republicans, who forged a deal to fund federal agencies through January 30, 2026. The 60–39 vote, the exact number required to advance the measure, marked a dramatic turning point after more than a dozen failed attempts.
However, the compromise also exposed fractures within the Democratic Party, as it excludes a key priority: the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that help lower health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.
A Bipartisan Coalition Forges a Path Forward
BREAKING: After 40 days of a standoff, the Senate on Sunday night voted to advance a deal that would move toward funding the government.
The bill advanced by a vote of 60-40, just barely meeting the 60 votes needed to keep it moving forward.
Read more: pic.twitter.com/jrvQdhEbTs
— ABC News (@ABC) November 10, 2025
Republican Senate Leader John Thune, who had previously insisted that healthcare talks could only resume after the government reopened, expressed relief following the vote. “After 40 long days, I’m hopeful we can bring this shutdown to the end,” he said, acknowledging the mounting toll—from air travel disruptions to the financial strain on unpaid federal workers.
The measure drew support from almost all Republicans and eight Democratic and independent senators, mostly moderates or those serving their final terms. “Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House, and they made clear over a period of weeks that this was as far as they would go,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a retiring Democrat from New Hampshire who helped broker the deal. “This was the only deal on the table.”
The Democratic senators who broke with their party leadership to vote in favor were Angus King of Maine, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Jacky Rosen of Nevada.
Democratic Divisions and the Healthcare Concession
This year’s ACA enrollment comes with something new: uncertainty.
The enhanced premium tax credits are scheduled to end after 2025, and Congress is still debating them amid the shutdown.
That means people signing up now don’t have a clear picture of what their costs might be… pic.twitter.com/VgcG0BHF70
— USAFacts (@USAFacts) November 10, 2025
At the heart of the Democratic dissent lies the issue of expiring ACA subsidies. For weeks, Democratic leaders had demanded that any funding bill address what they described as an impending “healthcare crisis.” The compromise sidesteps that demand, instead including a promise from Thune to schedule a separate vote on healthcare subsidies by mid-December.
For many Democrats, that promise wasn’t enough. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries quickly announced their opposition, calling the agreement a “capitulation.” “This healthcare crisis is so severe, so urgent, so devastating for families back home,” Schumer said, “that I cannot in good faith support a resolution that fails to address it.”
Frustration ran even deeper in the House. Congressman Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called the deal “a betrayal,” while Congressman Ro Khanna went so far as to suggest Schumer’s replacement, citing “a failure of leadership.”
What the Compromise Bill Delivers
For federal workers and citizens worn down by the shutdown’s effects, the bill offers significant relief. It restores funding for the federal government through January 30, 2026, and reverses layoffs initiated during the closure. It also guarantees retroactive pay for all furloughed employees and those who worked without compensation, while preventing further layoffs through January.
Beyond payroll, the bill includes three full-year appropriations measures to fund departments, including Agriculture and Veterans Affairs. It also extends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) until next September, providing a vital reprieve for millions of low-income families.
The Road Ahead: A House Vote and a Presidential Signature
House Speaker Mike Johnson said representatives would vote “as soon as possible” on the Senate compromise to reopen the government, but hopefully this week.
Live updates: pic.twitter.com/tDKLbEIrVy
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) November 10, 2025
While the Senate’s vote represents a monumental breakthrough, the process is far from complete. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where passage remains uncertain.
Speaker Mike Johnson, who kept the chamber out of session for weeks, faces competing pressures from both parties. Though he has indicated that votes will be scheduled this week, Johnson has also stated he will not advance any measure that includes ACA subsidy extensions, setting up another potential confrontation.
With Democratic leaders pledging to oppose the bill, Johnson may need to rely on a coalition of most Republicans and a few crossover Democrats to ensure passage. Once approved, the measure will move to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.
That process could take several days, meaning the government isn’t reopening just yet. For now, those asking, “Is the government shutdown over?” will need to wait a little longer. But for the first time in 40 days, the prospect of an end feels real and within reach.
Featured image: Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg
—Read Also