The longest government shutdown in U.S. history could come to an end this week after a compromise to restore federal funding passed an initial Senate test late Sunday (Nov 9). However, the exact timing of Congress’s final approval remains uncertain. The agreement would reinstate funding for federal agencies whose budgets expired on Oct 1, offering relief to low-income families affected by food subsidy disruptions, hundreds of thousands of unpaid federal employees, and travelers impacted by thousands of flight cancellations. Funding would continue through Jan 30, temporarily keeping the government running while adding roughly US$1.8 trillion annually to the nation’s US$38 trillion debt.

President Donald Trump’s Republican Party controls both chambers of Congress, but Democrats leveraged Senate rules—requiring 60 votes to advance most bills—to push for an extension of health insurance subsidies benefiting 24 million Americans set to expire at year’s end. The compromise sets up a December vote on that issue. The move followed a strong week for Democrats, who won major elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City. Still, many Democrats were frustrated with the deal, arguing that the promised healthcare vote might never materialize in either the Senate or the House. “We wish we could do more,” said Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat. “The shutdown seemed like a chance to achieve better policy—it didn’t work.”

A ReutersIpsos poll conducted in late October found that 50 percent of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 43 percent blamed Democrats. On Monday, U.S. stocks rose amid optimism over the progress toward reopening the government. The compromise was reportedly negotiated by Democratic Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Independent Senator Angus King of Maine. Trump has previously slashed billions in spending and reduced the federal workforce by hundreds of thousands, actions that some lawmakers say overstep congressional authority on fiscal policy. The new agreement does not include restrictions preventing him from making further cuts, but it would temporarily halt his downsizing plans by barring federal employee layoffs until Jan 30.

Additionally, the deal would fund the SNAP food-assistance program through Sept 30 next year, ensuring stability even if another shutdown occurs. Before the deal becomes law, the Senate must agree on a bipartisan path for a final vote—otherwise, procedural steps could delay passage into next weekend. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that if the Senate moves quickly, the House could pass the bill as early as Wednesday and send it to President Trump for his signature. “I think we’ll get it passed and on the president’s desk,” he told Fox Business. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned that if the shutdown drags on much longer, the economy could contract in the fourth quarter, particularly if air travel fails to recover before the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov 27.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.