Politics

Senate’s Bipartisan Vote: Will This Funding Measure Finally End the Government Shutdown?

Senate advances funding to reopen the government. House vote expected this week; ACA subsidies and back pay addressed.

November 10, 2025, 3:28 PM

The U.S. Capitol Building dome is centered against a background vertically split into solid blue and red.

The United States Capitol Building with a dramatic blue and red color overlay in Washington DC. By Benjamin Clapp / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

The Senate, with bipartisan support, advanced a federal funding measure to reopen the government, setting the stage for a final vote early this week before moving to the House.

The proposed funding package will sustain government operations until January 30, with critical agencies funded through fiscal year 2026, and faces a challenging vote in the House where Speaker Johnson anticipates needing assistance from President Trump.

The comprehensive bill includes full-year appropriations for military construction, veterans affairs, and agriculture, allocates funds for congressional security, and ensures a future Senate vote on expiring ACA subsidies while guaranteeing back pay for federal workers.

The Story So Far

The ongoing legislative effort to pass a federal funding measure is a direct response to an existing government shutdown, necessitating a bipartisan approach to restore government operations. A key compromise in the bill addresses the contentious issue of Affordable Care Act subsidies, where President Trump’s opposition to their immediate extension led to an agreement for a future Senate vote, a deal crucial for advancing the measure through a politically divided Congress.

Why This Matters

This bipartisan Senate vote marks a crucial step toward ending the government shutdown, guaranteeing back pay for federal workers and ensuring critical services like SNAP receive stable funding through fiscal year 2026. However, the compromise, partly shaped by Trump’s stance on ACA subsidies, defers a final decision on these key healthcare provisions, indicating ongoing legislative challenges as the package moves to the House.

Who Thinks What?

A bipartisan group of Senate Democrats and Republicans, along with House Republican leaders, are optimistic about the federal funding measure’s passage, viewing it as a critical step to reopen the government and provide immediate relief, even with compromises like deferring a guaranteed extension of ACA subsidies.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposes the package, citing its failure to fully address Democratic demands regarding health care, specifically the guaranteed extension of expiring enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.

President Trump’s increasing opposition to extending ACA subsidies influenced some Democrats to accept the compromise to end the shutdown, and House Speaker Mike Johnson believes Trump’s assistance will be necessary to secure enough votes for the bill in the House.

The Senate cleared a significant legislative obstacle Sunday night, with eight Democrats joining Republicans to advance a federal funding measure aimed at reopening the government. This bipartisan vote sets the stage for a final Senate vote early this week, after which the package will move to the House of Representatives, where leaders expect further votes this week to end the ongoing shutdown.

Next Steps in the Senate

Senators must now agree on a timeline for debate before a final vote on the bill. While leaders hope for quick action, the process could be extended by senators seeking to introduce amendments, such as Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who desires a vote on a hemp-related amendment. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated uncertainty regarding the exact timing but expressed hope for passage early in the week.

The proposed funding package would sustain government operations until January 30. Critical agencies, including those administering federal food assistance (SNAP), would receive funding through the remainder of fiscal year 2026. This dual approach aims to provide immediate relief from the shutdown while establishing longer-term stability for essential services.

The House’s Role

Following Senate passage, the measure will proceed to the House, where members have been advised to anticipate votes this week. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces the challenge of securing support from his narrow majority, a task he suggests will require assistance from President Trump. Johnson stated that he would provide 36-hour notice for a vote once the Senate concludes its process.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has vowed to oppose the package, citing its failure to fully address Democratic demands regarding health care. Despite this, a Democratic source familiar with discussions expects some members of the party to cross the aisle to support the bill. Republican leaders are reportedly optimistic about the bill’s prospects for passage in the House.

Bill Contents

The comprehensive bill includes three full-year appropriations measures covering military construction, veterans affairs, the legislative branch, and the Department of Agriculture. Notably, it allocates $203.5 million for enhanced security for members of Congress and $852 million for the U.S. Capitol Police, according to Democratic appropriator Sen. Patty Murray.

A key point of contention, the package does not guarantee an extension of expiring enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. However, a deal struck between Republicans and Senate Democratic centrists includes an agreement for a future Senate vote on these subsidies. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that President Trump’s increasing opposition to extending the ACA subsidies pushed some Democrats to accept the compromise to end the shutdown.

Additionally, the agreement stipulates the reversal of all federal firings that occurred during the shutdown. It also ensures that all federal workers will receive back pay for the wages they were owed while the government was closed.

Outlook

The bipartisan Senate vote represents a critical step towards resolving the government shutdown, but the legislative path forward still requires navigating procedural hurdles in the Senate and securing sufficient support in the House. The ultimate success of the funding measure hinges on continued bipartisan cooperation and leadership efforts to rally votes.