After 40 days of gridlock, the Senate took its first formal steps Sunday toward ending the government shutdown, moving forward on a bipartisan plan that lacks a guaranteed extension of healthcare subsidies — a sticking point that has split Democrats and fueled frustration across Washington.
The compromise emerged from a group of moderates — Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and Independent Senator Angus King of Maine — who agreed to reopen the government if three full-year spending bills were passed and all remaining programs were funded through late January. Senate Majority Leader John Thune backed the plan Sunday night, calling for an immediate vote. “The time to act is now,” Thune said.
Under the proposal, the Senate would vote later on the fate of the health subsidies while restoring thousands of federal workers who were dismissed since the shutdown began October 1. Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, who has led efforts to bridge the divide, said she was “relieved” to see movement at last. “We must not delay any longer,” she told colleagues from the Senate floor.
Republicans need five Democrats to reach the threshold to reopen the government. Along with Shaheen, King, and Hassan, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said he would support the agreement, explaining, “I have long said that to earn my vote, we need to be on a path toward fixing Republicans’ healthcare mess and to protect the federal workforce.”
But Democratic leaders expressed deep dissatisfaction. Following a two-hour caucus meeting, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters he could not “in good faith” back the deal. “America is in the midst of a Republican-made healthcare crisis,” Schumer said, warning that Americans would “suffer immensely” without renewed subsidies. “Democrats have sounded the alarm,” he added, vowing they “will not give up the fight.”
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont denounced the compromise as a “horrific mistake,” saying it surrendered leverage on healthcare reform. His comments echoed concerns voiced by progressives in both chambers that the emerging deal concedes too much without extracting concrete promises.
House Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar blasted the agreement as “a betrayal,” writing on X, “Accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isn’t a compromise — it’s capitulation. Millions of families would pay the price.” Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota dismissed the plan even more sharply, posting, “If people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you.”
Despite Democratic objections, Republicans have praised the moderates’ efforts. The agreement would fund key areas including veterans’ programs, food aid, and the legislative branch while extending all other federal spending until January’s end. It also guarantees back pay for government workers and halts additional layoffs. The text of the deal, however, has not yet been made public.
Returning from a football game Sunday night, President Trump sounded optimistic but noncommittal. “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending,” he told reporters, without confirming whether he supported the plan.
Republican leaders also released the final versions of three long-delayed spending bills, which maintain the ban on congressional pay raises but increase security spending by $203.5 million in response to growing threats. One measure, championed by Senator Mitch McConnell, would also restrict sales of certain hemp-based products.
Still, even if the Senate advances the measure, final passage could take several days if opponents slow the process with procedural objections. The first vote could occur as early as Sunday evening, though the future of healthcare subsidies remains uncertain. House Speaker Mike Johnson has already said he will not commit to bringing a health vote to the floor.
Meanwhile, the effects of the shutdown continue to ripple nationwide. Flight cancellations surpassed 2,000 on Sunday — the highest yet — and more than 7,000 delays were reported, according to FlightAware. Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air travel could be “reduced to a trickle” ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday if the government remains closed.
Food assistance programs are also being strained. Tens of millions of Americans have seen SNAP benefits delayed amid legal disputes, while two dozen states warned of “catastrophic operational disruptions.” In Washington, the Capital Area Food Bank reported distributing eight million more meals than budgeted — nearly a 20% surge — to support unpaid federal employees and struggling families.
As pressure mounts, both sides face a narrowing window to end the standoff before further economic damage takes hold. Whether the compromise will finally bring an end to the shutdown — or merely delay another showdown — remains to be seen.
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