Senate’s 60-40 Vote Advances Bill to End U.S. Government Shutdown

The United States Senate on Sunday took a major step toward ending a five-week federal government shutdown by approving a procedural motion to advance a bipartisan funding bill. The vote passed 60-40, breaking the stalemate that left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay.

Bipartisan shift breaks impasse

Eight Democratic senators joined Republicans to secure the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster. Those Democrats include Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and independent Angus King (I-Maine). Only one Republican, Rand Paul (R-Ky.), opposed the measure.

Key provisions and remaining hurdles

The legislation would:

• Fund most federal agencies through late January 2026, including full-year appropriations for departments such as Agriculture and Veterans Affairs.

• Rehire furloughed workers and provide back pay for those affected during the shutdown.

• Include a promise to hold a future vote on extending health-care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, though an extension is not guaranteed.

Despite the procedural advance, final passage is not assured. The bill must still clear the Senate floor with a final vote, pass the United States House of Representatives, and receive the President’s signature. Individual senators retain the power to delay the process under Senate rules.

What this means

For federal employees and agencies, the move offers hope of reopening government operations and restoring pay. But significant policy disputes remain—especially over health-care subsidies—which have delayed an earlier resolution. Many Senate Democrats oppose the deal because it does not immediately secure those subsidies.

Looking ahead

• The Senate plans to hold a final vote on the funding bill in the coming days.

• The House must act next; without House passage and Presidential signature, the shutdown will persist.

• The upcoming vote on ACA subsidies will be closely watched, as it remains a key bargaining point.

• Until a full deal is signed into law, the risk of continued disruption for federal agencies and workers remains real.