Just In: Senate Approves Short‑Term Funding Deal That Could End U.S. Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 11, 2025 — The U.S. Senate approved a compromise funding measure on Monday, breaking weeks of deadlock that left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid and disrupted benefits for millions, with the vote passing 60 to 40 thanks to support from nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats who unsuccessfully tried to link government funding to health subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson said he hopes for quick passage and a presidential signature, which President Trump called ‘very good,’ while lawmakers described the vote as a temporary fix to prevent further disruption during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which had already affected food benefits for millions and delayed operations across federal agencies.

What the Deal Covers and What It Leaves Open

The legislation restores funding for federal agencies whose budgets expired on October 1 and also stalls President Trump’s planned downsizing of the federal workforce, preventing layoffs until January 30, which lawmakers emphasized ensures federal operations continue without interruption for the coming months. However, the deal does not guarantee continuation of health insurance subsidies covering 24 million Americans, leaving their future uncertain ahead of a planned December vote, which provoked anger among Democrats who noted the absence of protection leaves many vulnerable. The measure also allows the government to continue adding about $1.8 trillion per year to the national debt, currently around $38 trillion, while funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, through September 30 next year, ensuring food benefits remain uninterrupted and providing temporary stability for families relying on federal programs.

Why Lawmakers Acted Now

Several factors created momentum for compromise, including recent elections in New Jersey and Virginia, which, along with the election of a democratic socialist as New York City mayor, demonstrated strong public demand for effective governance. Senate Republicans sought to show they could act decisively, while Democrats faced internal pressure to avoid being blamed entirely for continued disruption, a concern reinforced by late October polls showing Americans were divided on responsibility, with 50 percent blaming Republicans and 43 percent blaming Democrats. The compromise provides a temporary solution that buys time for future negotiations without resolving the broader questions of government spending or subsidy continuation.

Is This Deal Enough to Prevent Future Shutdowns?

Short-Term Relief: The agreement keeps the government operational until January 30 and funds SNAP through September 30, giving federal employees and program beneficiaries a reprieve from immediate disruptions while markets responded positively to the news, signaling relief among investors that the government would remain open in the near term.

Longer-Term Uncertainty: The deal does not include specific guardrails to prevent future unilateral spending cuts or workforce reductions, and past actions by President Trump, including cancelled spending and trimmed payrolls, have intruded on Congress's constitutional authority over fiscal matters, leaving observers and lawmakers questioning how similar issues will be handled in future funding debates. Without structural reforms or clear protections for health subsidies and other critical programs, another shutdown remains possible once the short-term funding expires.

For now, Washington experiences cautious relief, as the Senate bill provides temporary stability for federal workers and citizens reliant on government programs, yet the deeper political conflicts and budgetary challenges remain unresolved, and the upcoming House vote will determine whether this measure holds or simply postpones the next confrontation over government funding.

Lawmakers expressed frustration over the limits of the deal while acknowledging it provides only temporary relief for federal workers and program beneficiaries.

Inputs from Diana Chou

Editing by David Ryder