• The US Senate voted 60-40 to approve a bipartisan deal to end the 41-day government shutdown.
• The agreement allows federal funding to resume until January 30, 2026.
• While federal employees will be reinstated, the deal postpones the discussion on healthcare subsidies until December.

The United States Senate has approved a bipartisan agreement to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history after 41 days. The passage, with a vote of 60 to 40, marks a significant break from weeks of political deadlock, which left many federal operations disrupted, including air travel and food assistance programs. The deal received support from eight Senate Democrats alongside nearly all Republicans, but excluded key demands from Democrats regarding healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This agreement will allow federal funding to resume through January 30, 2026, reinstating pay for federal workers affected by the shutdown, according to ABC News and aa.

President Donald Trump expressed support for the bill, describing it as "very good," and pledged to reopen the government quickly. The Senate vote took place against a backdrop of increasing pressure as constituents faced delays in critical services such as food aid and were impacted by flight disruptions due to staffing shortages at the FAA. The agreement, while critical in reopening the government, did not resolve key healthcare issues, as future discussions on extending ACA benefits are scheduled for December, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

Negotiations leading up to the Senate’s vote reflected divides within the Democratic Party, as several moderate senators broke ranks to support the funding deal, despite opposition from party leadership. Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denounced the lack of healthcare provisions in the agreement. This division may signal deeper ideological rifts as Democrats weigh how to approach bipartisan negotiations moving forward, with some expressing concern about compromising with Trump's administration on fundamental health issues, according to India Times and aa.

As the measure proceeds to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated a swift vote is expected, the implications of this shutdown and how it was resolved will linger. The House has remained out of session for an extended period, with the shutdown causing direct impacts on air travel and public service operations. This crisis has unfolded against a backdrop of political maneuvering in Washington, stirring contentious debates on future funding priorities, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.