US government shutdown nears end after 40-day budget stalemate

The United States Congress is moving to end a 40-day partial government shutdown after senators reached a deal on a temporary spending bill. This breakthrough would conclude the longest federal funding lapse in US history, which has left hundreds of thousands of workers without pay.

Bipartisan Breakthrough in the Senate

The path to a resolution opened when a group of moderate Democratic senators, including Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Angus King, announced they would vote in favor of the stopgap bill. Their support was secured after they dropped a previous demand for a guarantee on extended healthcare subsidies, a key concession that allowed the bipartisan agreement to move forward. The bill would fund government operations until the end of January.

Presidential Approval and Next Steps

Following an expected passage in the Senate, the temporary funding legislation will proceed to the House of Representatives for a vote. If approved, it will then be sent to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature. President Trump indicated a resolution was near, stating, "I think we're very close, we're very close to ending the government shutdown."

Impact of the Record Shutdown

The extended budget impasse had forced federal agencies to suspend all non-essential operations. Critical staff in departments like the military, intelligence, and public health worked without pay, while other employees were furloughed indefinitely. The financial strain on workers led to widespread disruptions, including flight cancellations after air traffic controllers were affected. This 40-day closure surpasses the previous 35-day record set during a budget fight in the Trump administration in 2018-2019.