Shutdown Nears End: Senate Reaches Bipartisan Deal to Rehire Federal Workers, to Vote on Healthcare

APT

The U.S. Senate has voted 60–40 to break a Democratic filibuster, moving one step closer to reopening the government after the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The bipartisan deal guarantees federal workers will be rehired with back pay and promises a future Senate vote on healthcare subsidies. Here’s how the shutdown may finally come to an end.  #USGovernment #GovernmentShutdown #SenateVote

Transcript

00:00On this vote, the yeas are 60 and the nays are 40.

00:03Three-fifths of the Senate duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative.

00:08The motion, upon reconsideration, is agreed to.

00:12After 40 days of gridlock, the U.S. Senate has voted to break the longest government shutdown in American history,

00:19paving the way for federal agencies to reopen later this week.

00:22The 60-40 vote came Sunday night after a small group of Democrats crossed the aisle

00:30to support a bipartisan deal that funds several key departments and programs.

00:36The package would fund multiple agencies, including agriculture, veterans affairs and military construction,

00:43for the full fiscal year, while others would receive funding through January 30, 2026.

00:49In return, Democrats secured two key commitments from the Trump administration.

00:57First, the rehiring of government employees laid off at the start of the shutdown.

01:01And second, a Senate floor vote in December on legislation to extend expiring Obamacare tax credits.

01:10Mr. President.

01:11Majority Leader.

01:12Mr. President, after 40 long days, I'm hopeful that we can finally bring the shutdown to an end.

01:16Mr. President, I don't need to go over all the reasons why it's imperative that we get the government open as soon as possible.

01:23The breakthrough came as mounting economic and logistical fallout threatened to worsen.

01:29From confusion over food assistance programs to the cancellation of thousands of flights,

01:34as overworked and unpaid air traffic controllers reached their limits.

01:38The agreement followed weeks of closed-door negotiations involving Thune, bipartisan senators like Angus King,

01:47Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan and top appropriators, including Republican Senator Susan Collins.

01:55Under the terms of the deal, Democrats ensured at least eight members of their caucus

02:01would support procedural votes to advance the funding bill.

02:04While the Sunday vote doesn't immediately reopen the government,

02:09it clears the path for final passage and sends a strong signal

02:14that the Senate has the numbers to end the shutdown once and for all.

02:19However, resistance remains.

02:22Progressive senators and some House Democrats have voiced frustration,

02:26saying the agreement falls short of their demands

02:28to immediately extend Affordable Care Act tax credits.

02:31Senator Elizabeth Warren was among those opposing the deal.

02:37House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also criticized the plan,

02:42vowing that Democrats in the House

02:43will not support spending legislation

02:46that doesn't address health care subsidies.

02:50We will not support spending legislation

02:52advanced by Senate Republicans

02:54that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

02:57Meanwhile, Senate negotiators defended their approach,

03:03arguing that securing a guaranteed vote on health care later this year

03:06is a tangible win for Democrats

03:08and the only realistic path forward.

03:13Independent Senator Angus King added

03:16that while success isn't certain,

03:18the opportunity for negotiation now exists.

03:20There was zero chance of dealing with the ACA issue

03:27as long as the shutdown continued.

03:29Now, I'd say 50-50,

03:31but that's a lot better than zero.

03:35The shutdown-ending framework

03:37also guarantees back pay for federal employees

03:40and prevents further layoffs through January 30th.

03:46Senator Tim Kaine,

03:48who represents more than 150,000 federal workers,

03:52said he supported the measure

03:53after securing protections against future reductions in force.

03:58House Speaker Mike Johnson

04:00is expected to brief Republicans on the plan Monday morning.

04:04While some hardliners may object to parts of the deal,

04:06sources say there's growing confidence enough

04:09House votes exist to pass it,

04:11provided President Trump signals his approval.

04:16And from the sidelines at a Sunday night football game,

04:20Trump himself sounded optimistic.

04:23It looks like we're getting very close from the shutdown.

04:26We'll never agree to give any substantial money

04:30or any money to really prisoners,

04:33illegals that come into our country.

04:35And I think the Democrats understand that.

04:38And it looks like we're getting close to the shutdown ending.

04:42You'll know very soon.

04:43Thank you very much.

04:45If both chambers approved the agreement this week,

04:48the measure would officially end

04:50the longest government shutdown in US history,

04:53restoring operations across agencies,

04:55guaranteeing pay for thousands of federal employees

04:58and delivering a long-awaited dose

05:01of bipartisan compromise to Washington.

05:10Thanks, man.

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