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Sunday, May 31, 2026
Outside the box.
Senate Advances Funding Bill to End Record U.S. Government Shutdown
60-40 vote clears path for legislation to reopen government until January while healthcare tax credits remain unresolved
The U.S. Senate on Sunday night voted 60-40 to advance a short-term funding measure intended to end the ongoing government shutdown, the longest in American history.
The bill extends federal operations until January 30, 2026 and includes funding for the Agriculture and Veterans Affairs departments, though it leaves the issue of expiring health-insurance tax credits unaddressed.
The breakthrough came after eight Democratic senators joined with Republicans to overcome the cloture threshold, marking a dramatic shift after 14 previous failed votes.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune declared the procedural climb a necessary step toward resolution.
President Donald Trump echoed hope that the impasse was nearing its end.
Under the terms of the deal, federal workers laid off during the shutdown will be rehired and receive back pay, and the freeze on further firings by the Office of Management and Budget will remain in place through late January.
The legislation also provides for three full-year appropriations bills attached to the funding bill, reflecting a broader effort to return to normal budgeting processes.
However, many Senate Democrats remain opposed because the bill does not deliver an immediate guarantee on extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which make coverage affordable for millions.
Instead, Republicans promise a separate vote on the matter by early December, without guaranteeing its success.
Senator Bernie Sanders described the approach as a “horrific mistake,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed to “fight on.”
With the Senate’s procedural hurdle cleared, the legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for final approval—setting the stage for a possible reopening of government operations this week, even as the healthcare battle continues to loom.
The bill extends federal operations until January 30, 2026 and includes funding for the Agriculture and Veterans Affairs departments, though it leaves the issue of expiring health-insurance tax credits unaddressed.
The breakthrough came after eight Democratic senators joined with Republicans to overcome the cloture threshold, marking a dramatic shift after 14 previous failed votes.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune declared the procedural climb a necessary step toward resolution.
President Donald Trump echoed hope that the impasse was nearing its end.
Under the terms of the deal, federal workers laid off during the shutdown will be rehired and receive back pay, and the freeze on further firings by the Office of Management and Budget will remain in place through late January.
The legislation also provides for three full-year appropriations bills attached to the funding bill, reflecting a broader effort to return to normal budgeting processes.
However, many Senate Democrats remain opposed because the bill does not deliver an immediate guarantee on extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which make coverage affordable for millions.
Instead, Republicans promise a separate vote on the matter by early December, without guaranteeing its success.
Senator Bernie Sanders described the approach as a “horrific mistake,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed to “fight on.”
With the Senate’s procedural hurdle cleared, the legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for final approval—setting the stage for a possible reopening of government operations this week, even as the healthcare battle continues to loom.
