2LT International News

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Senate on November 9 took a significant step toward ending the federal government shutdown, now in its 41st day, by advancing a measure to fund the government and provide relief to millions affected by the closure.

The prolonged shutdown has left federal employees without pay, disrupted food aid, and caused significant delays in air travel nationwide.

In a procedural vote, senators agreed to move forward on a House-passed funding bill, which they plan to amend to keep the government open until January 30. The legislation will also include three full-year appropriations bills. If passed by the Senate, the package must return to the House of Representatives for approval before heading to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature — a process expected to take several days.

The 60-40 vote met the minimum threshold needed to overcome a Senate filibuster. “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending,” Trump said at the White House before the vote.

As part of the agreement, Republicans reached a deal with several Democrats to hold a December vote on extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These subsidies, which help low-income Americans pay for private health insurance, are set to expire at the end of the year and have been a key Democratic priority.

The bill also includes provisions to protect federal employees. It bars federal agencies from firing workers until January 30 — a temporary halt to Trump’s plan to reduce the size of the federal workforce. Federal records show that 2.2 million civilians were employed by the government at the start of Trump’s second term, with about 300,000 expected to leave by year’s end under his downsizing initiative.

The legislation guarantees back pay for all federal workers, including members of the military, Border Patrol agents, and air traffic controllers — a significant concession for unions representing federal employees.

The bipartisan deal was reportedly brokered by Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, along with independent Senator Angus King of Maine. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted against the measure, drawing criticism from within his own party.

“For over a month, I’ve made clear that my priorities are to both reopen government and extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits. This is our best path toward accomplishing both of these goals,” Shaheen wrote on X.

Not all Democrats were satisfied. Representative Ro Khanna criticized Schumer, saying, “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”

As the shutdown continues to affect essential services, staffing shortages in air traffic control are raising concerns about potential chaos during the Thanksgiving travel rush later this month. Republican Senator Thom Tillis suggested that the growing economic and logistical pressures were pushing lawmakers toward compromise. “Temperatures cool, the atmospheric pressure increases outside, and all of a sudden it looks like things will come together,” he told reporters.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned that if the government remains closed much longer, economic growth could turn negative in the fourth quarter, especially if air travel disruptions persist through Thanksgiving, which falls on November 27.

Meanwhile, Trump renewed his push to replace ACA subsidies with direct payments to individuals, calling the subsidies a “windfall for Health Insurance Companies, and a DISASTER for the American people.” He pledged to work with both parties on a replacement “once the Government is open.”

Health experts estimate that, without congressional action, average monthly premiums for 2026 Obamacare plans could more than double. The current ACA enrollment period runs through January 15, giving lawmakers a narrow window to extend the subsidies before they expire at year’s end.