Government Shutdown Stalemate Ends as House Prepared to Reconvene

Mon Nov 10 2025 21:50:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A small group of Senate Democrats and Republicans come together to break a 40-day deadlock, paving the way for legislation to fund the government and end the shutdown.

In a significant bipartisan move, Senate Democrats and Republicans have advanced legislation to end the government shutdown after a prolonged stalemate. Speaker Mike Johnson urged House members to return to Washington immediately to expedite the process. The proposal, which passed with a 60-40 vote, will reinstate federal workers and provide back pay, while health care tax credits remain a topic for future negotiation. Democratic leaders express disappointment over the bill's concessions, putting pressure on their parties as the shutdown's impacts worsen.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a dramatic turn of events, Speaker Mike Johnson called for House lawmakers to return to Washington “right now” following a breakthrough by a small group of Senate Democrats who joined Republicans in passing legislation aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown. The compromise bill, which passed with a 60-40 vote, signals the end of a 40-day deadlock that has left federal workers unpaid and federal services disrupted.

“This nightmare is finally coming to an end,” Johnson announced at a news conference, emphasizing the need for swift action. The House has remained out of session since passing a funding bill in mid-September while negotiations continued. It remains unclear when the Senate will hold final votes on the legislation.

After weeks of intense negotiations, moderate Senate Democrats shifted their stance, agreeing to move forward without a guaranteed extension of vital health care subsidies, which sparked anger among many in their caucus. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., committed to a mid-December vote regarding health care provisions, although success is not guaranteed.

Despite a significant number of Democrats opposing the proposal, only eight from the Senate Democratic caucus broke ranks to support the Republicans. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York viewed this as a setback, expressing a strong belief that Democrats should press on for better terms, particularly concerning health care.

Moreover, the agreement includes key provisions to reinstate federal workers affected by layoffs since the shutdown began on October 1 and ensure they receive back pay. Furthermore, it promises to reverse recent mass firings instigated by the Trump administration.

The shutdown's ramifications continue to escalate, causing disruptions including over 2,000 flight cancellations and delays in essential services like food aid. Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned that air travel could face severe reductions ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday if the government remains closed.

Discontent among Democratic ranks intensified as several members criticized their leadership's decision to back down on health care negotiations. House Democrats are firm in their stance, with leaders like Hakeem Jeffries blaming Republicans for the turmoil.

As Senate leaders like Thune pursue bipartisan agreements, the fate of health care subsidies remains uncertain, with many Democrats still holding firm on their demands for substantial reforms.

While the end to the shutdown may be nearer, the political fallout and ongoing debates about health care policy loom large over the negotiations.