The Senate has passed a bill to reopen federal agencies and end the longest government shutdown in US history, sending it to the House for approval.
WASHINGTON: The US Senate has passed a compromise bill to end the longest government shutdown in the country’s history.
The 60-40 vote broke a weeks-long stalemate that disrupted food benefits for millions and left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid.
Nearly all Senate Republicans and eight Democrats supported the measure, which now heads to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he aims to pass the bill by Wednesday and send it to President Donald Trump for signing.
Trump described the deal to reopen the government as “very good”.
The agreement restores funding for federal agencies that expired on October 1 and prevents workforce layoffs until January 30.
It extends government funding through January 30 but adds approximately USD 1.8 trillion annually to the national debt of USD 38 trillion.
The deal sets up a December vote on health subsidies benefiting 24 million Americans but provides no guarantee they will continue.
Senator Dick Durbin acknowledged limitations, stating “We wish we could do more” and noting the shutdown failed to produce better policy.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found 50% of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 43% blamed Democrats.
US stocks rose on Monday following news of the breakthrough agreement.
The legislation funds the SNAP food-subsidy program through September 30 next year, preventing potential disruptions from future shutdowns.
It does not include specific provisions to prevent President Trump from implementing further spending cuts. – Reuters
