Senate leaders close to agreement to reopen US government after 40 days

US Senate near deal to reopen government after weeks-long shutdown deadlock

After weeks of political stalemate, a potential deal to end the longest government shutdown in US history appears to be taking shape, with several Senate Democrats signalling readiness to support a bipartisan funding package if final concessions are met by the White House, CNN reported.

The shutdown, now in its 40th day, has affected hundreds of thousands of federal workers and disrupted key services nationwide.

On Sunday, the Senate Appropriations Committee introduced a three-bill spending measure, or “minibus,” funding military construction and veterans affairs, the legislative branch, agriculture programmes, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Lawmakers are also awaiting the final text of a continuing resolution (CR) that would reopen the government through late January, a short-term fix while broader budget negotiations continue.

According to Reuters, Senate leaders believe there are enough Democratic votes to advance the bill, with at least eight members of the party expected to support it. Once passed, the legislation will move to the House of Representatives before heading to President Donald Trump for his approval.

The deal, outlined by Senator Patty Murray’s office, allocates $203.5 million to boost security for members of Congress and $852 million for the US Capitol Police, ensuring the safety of lawmakers while restoring essential operations.

However, it omits an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, a major Democratic priority, though it guarantees a Senate vote on the matter later this year.

A group of moderate Democrats, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Independent Angus King, has brokered a tentative deal to reopen the government in exchange for a promise from Republicans to hold a December vote on the expiring health care subsidies.

“It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending,” Trump said on Sunday evening, though he did not explicitly endorse the plan. The proposal would restore pay for federal employees, reverse certain layoffs made during the shutdown, and ensure continued Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through September 30, Axios reported.

Despite growing optimism, not all Democrats are on board. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would vote “no,” while Senator Bernie Sanders warned it would be a “horrific mistake to cave in to Trump right now.”

Progressive Democrats in the House also criticised the emerging deal, calling it inadequate without firm action on health care subsidies. Republican Senator John Thune told the New York Times that an agreement was “coming together,” noting that reopening the government remains a top priority.

A senior White House official told Axios, “The President and the White House have maintained since day one that we want the government open. This appears to be a good way to accomplish that goal.”