Senate Votes to End Government Shutdown, Sending Bill to the House Amid Criticism from Democrats
The US Senate voted 60-40 on Monday to pass legislation that would reopen the government, ending the longest shutdown in history after five moderate Democrats switched their votes in support of a bipartisan deal. The final vote broke a six-week stalemate as Democrats demanded negotiations with Republicans on health care tax credits set to expire January 1.
The agreement was brokered by three former governors – Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Angus King – who agreed to advance three bipartisan annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January. The deal also reverses mass firings of federal workers since the shutdown began on October 1, protects against further layoffs through January, and guarantees paid work for the employees once the shutdown is over.
However, the vote was met with criticism from within the Democratic Party, led by Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, who called it a "mistake" after meeting with his caucus for more than two hours. Other Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have also denounced the agreement, saying that giving up on health care reform would be a "horrific mistake."
House Speaker Mike Johnson has urged lawmakers to return to Washington and vote on the bill as soon as possible, given shutdown-related travel delays. However, there is uncertainty over whether the House will approve the legislation, with some Republicans expressing willingness to extend COVID-19-era tax credits but also pushing for new limits on who can receive subsidies.
The debate on health care reform ahead remains contentious, with Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins supporting a compromise that extends tax credits with changes. However, Trump has renewed his criticism of the law, calling for it to be scrapped or overhauled.
As lawmakers continue to navigate the final stretch of the shutdown, the fate of federal workers and millions of Americans relying on health care subsidies hangs in the balance. The House is expected to vote on the bill soon, but the outcome remains uncertain.
The US Senate voted 60-40 on Monday to pass legislation that would reopen the government, ending the longest shutdown in history after five moderate Democrats switched their votes in support of a bipartisan deal. The final vote broke a six-week stalemate as Democrats demanded negotiations with Republicans on health care tax credits set to expire January 1.
The agreement was brokered by three former governors – Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Angus King – who agreed to advance three bipartisan annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January. The deal also reverses mass firings of federal workers since the shutdown began on October 1, protects against further layoffs through January, and guarantees paid work for the employees once the shutdown is over.
However, the vote was met with criticism from within the Democratic Party, led by Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, who called it a "mistake" after meeting with his caucus for more than two hours. Other Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have also denounced the agreement, saying that giving up on health care reform would be a "horrific mistake."
House Speaker Mike Johnson has urged lawmakers to return to Washington and vote on the bill as soon as possible, given shutdown-related travel delays. However, there is uncertainty over whether the House will approve the legislation, with some Republicans expressing willingness to extend COVID-19-era tax credits but also pushing for new limits on who can receive subsidies.
The debate on health care reform ahead remains contentious, with Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins supporting a compromise that extends tax credits with changes. However, Trump has renewed his criticism of the law, calling for it to be scrapped or overhauled.
As lawmakers continue to navigate the final stretch of the shutdown, the fate of federal workers and millions of Americans relying on health care subsidies hangs in the balance. The House is expected to vote on the bill soon, but the outcome remains uncertain.
just a thought, can't we all just agree to disagree? like, i get it, there's some major disagreements on healthcare and tax credits, but can't we focus on keeping the government running instead of making it even more complicated? 
IT'S BEEN A NIGHTMARE FOR THOSE FEDERAL WORKERS WHO HAVEN'T HAD A PAYCHECK IN WEEKS!!! 
THE DEAL BROKEN BY THOSE 3 FORMER GOVERS DOES SEEM LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE HEALTH CARE SUBSIDIES BEING PROTECTED. I KNOW NOT EVERYONE IS HAPPY WITH IT, BUT COME ON, WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER YEAR OF THIS SHUTDOWN DRAMA!!! 
AND NOW THAT THE HOUSE HAS TO STEP UP, LET'S JUST HOPE THEY DON'T SCRAPE THOSE TAX CREDITS LIKE TRUMP WANTS THEM TO! 
they've been through a lot already. I think Senate Leader Chuck Schumer has a point tho 
his comparison of this agreement to a "mistake" makes me wanna agree with him 
. But, like, we cant have our cake and eat it too, right? 
We gotta find a way to reform the healthcare system that works for everyone 
not just some repubs who are all about lin' their pockets 
.
. Democrats and Republicans can't seem to agree on anything, and now we've got three former governors brokering deals left and right 
.
. And what's going to happen when the shutdown is over? Are they just going to be left in limbo again? It's not exactly the most reassuring feeling 
.
... and that healthcare reform thing? it's still up in the air 
. What's really goin' on with those tax credits? Are they tryin' to control who gets 'em or what? And why are all these folks suddenly talkin' about scrappin' the law? It don't add up, you know? 
it's like they're just papering over symptoms instead of fixin the root issue 
anyway, here's hoping the house comes around and passes that bill soon... for the sake of all those federal workers and people relying on subsidies 
. I wish lawmakers would focus on finding real solutions instead of using partisan politics as a crutch