Washington, D.C., USA: A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has reportedly reached an agreement to restore federal funding and bring an end to the record-breaking 40-day government shutdown, according to multiple American media outlets.
As reported by CNN and Fox News, lawmakers finalised a temporary spending bill on November 9, aimed at keeping the government operational through January. The deal comes after weeks of negotiations over key issues such as health care subsidies, food assistance programs, and President Donald Trump’s recent dismissal of federal employees.
Speaking to reporters at the White House after returning from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said, “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending.”
The proposal, known as a continuing resolution (CR), is expected to undergo a procedural vote in the Senate later on November 9. If passed, it will then move to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives before reaching President Trump’s desk for final approval.
Lawmakers confirmed that the measure would reinstate funding for the SNAP food assistance program, which supports over 42 million low-income Americans in purchasing groceries. The bill would also overturn recent mass dismissals of federal employees and guarantee a future vote on the extension of health care subsidies due to expire at the year’s end.
Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat, stated that the agreement ensures a fair chance to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, something Republicans had previously resisted. He added that the resolution “protects federal employees from unjust firings, reinstates those wrongfully terminated, and secures their back pay as mandated by law.”
However, not all Senate Democrats have expressed support. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the measure, saying it merely promises a vote on health care subsidies rather than extending them outright.
“I cannot, in good faith, support this continuing resolution that fails to directly address the ongoing health care crisis,” Schumer declared on the Senate floor. “This fight must and will continue.”
