Last night, the Senate took a critical step toward ending the longest government shutdown in American history, when several Democrats broke with their party and joined Republicans to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) that, if enacted, would fund the government through January 30.
In addition to keeping the government open through January, the agreement:
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Provides full-year funding for several government programs and agencies, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), through September 30, 2026, the end of the fiscal year.
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Reinstates all federal workers who were RIFed (reduced in force) during the shutdown.
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Includes a commitment from Leader Thune to hold a vote on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy legislation in the Senate before the end of the year.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, which will end its 53-day recess and return on Wednesday, November 12, to vote on the CR package. The measure is currently expected to pass narrowly, though the timeline could shift as the vote approaches, especially with many members of Congress experiencing travel delays as they make their way back to Washington.
Once (and if) the CR package passes the House, it must then be signed by the President before the shutdown can officially end.
