Senate Advances Bipartisan Resolution to End Longest Government Shutdown

On November 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate took a significant step toward ending the longest government shutdown in the nation's history by advancing a bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through January 30, 2026. The procedural vote passed 60-40, with eight Democrats and one Independent joining Republicans to move the legislation forward.

The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, following Congress's failure to pass appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year. The impasse primarily stemmed from disagreements over the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, set to expire on December 31, 2025. Democrats insisted on including the extension in the funding legislation, while Republicans opposed it.

The proposed CR maintains existing spending levels and includes full-year appropriations for military construction, veterans affairs, the legislative branch, and the Department of Agriculture. Notably, it provides funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September 2026. The agreement also ensures the rehiring of approximately 4,000 federal employees laid off during the shutdown, with back pay, and prevents mass layoffs until January 30, 2026.

A key component of the deal is a guaranteed Senate vote in December on extending ACA subsidies. However, Senator Angus King noted that there is "no guarantee" the extension will pass before the deadline.

The House of Representatives, under Republican control, must now consider the Senate's proposal. House Democratic leadership, led by Hakeem Jeffries, has expressed opposition to the compromise, citing insufficient assurances on health benefits. The final passage of the resolution remains uncertain, and even if approved, the temporary funding could lead to renewed gridlock in early 2026.

The shutdown has had widespread impacts, including thousands of flight disruptions and delays in food assistance, underscoring the urgency for a resolution.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned that the ongoing shutdown could cost the economy between $7 billion and $14 billion, depending on its duration. The potential economic impact includes up to a 2% reduction in GDP for the fourth quarter due to halted government spending on employee wages, procurement, and food assistance programs.

This shutdown is the longest in U.S. history, surpassing the previous record set during the 2018–2019 shutdown, which lasted 35 days. The current impasse highlights the deep partisan divisions over healthcare funding and government spending priorities.

The Senate's advancement of the bipartisan CR marks a significant effort to end the prolonged government shutdown. However, the measure's fate in the House and the broader implications for healthcare policy and government funding remain uncertain, highlighting the complexities of bipartisan negotiations in addressing national crises.