The U.S. Senate on Monday approved legislation aimed at ending the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, moving a stop-gap funding measure to the House of Representatives.
The 60-40 vote sent a continuing resolution that would fund the government through Jan. 30, 2026, to the Republican-controlled House for approval. Donald Trump backed the bill, saying he would “abide by the deal.”
The shutdown began Oct. 1, 2025, after Congress failed to approve funding for the new fiscal year. Key issues fueling the impasse included disputes over healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and broad differences between Democrats and Republicans over budget and policy priorities.
The legislation approved by the Senate ensures funding for many federal agencies and programs and includes back pay for affected workers and protections against mass federal worker layoffs until January 30, leaving the federal government for now on a path to keep adding about $1.8 trillion a year to its $38 trillion in debt.
It does not, however, resolve long-term policy fights such as future health-care subsidies or broader spending levels.
The bill must clear the House, which has been out of session since mid-September, then be signed by the president to officially end the shutdown. House members could vote as early as Wednesday. Until then, many federal services remain disrupted.
A judgment by the Senate signals a potential end to the shutdown, but the speed and completeness of the fix depend on swift House approval and the president’s signature. The deal provides a temporary reprieve but leaves many policy fights for the 2026 fiscal year. If the House delays or demands changes, the shutdown could extend, deepening disruptions.
