Government Shutdown Update: Senate Advances Bill to Reopen Government
A new bill to end the government shutdown was released and then quickly advanced by the Senate on Sunday in the most direct sign yet that the record-setting stoppage could soon come to an end.
President Trump backed the measure Monday afternoon, making it likely that the bill could come to his desk within days.
“We have support from enough Democrats, and we’re going to be opening up our country,” he told reporters.
The Senate could vote later Monday to offer final approval of the package. It would then go to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has said he “thinks” he has the votes to pass it in his chamber. The House has not been in session since mid-September, but Johnson said he told colleagues Monday “you need to begin right now in returning to the hill.”
House consideration could begin as soon as Wednesday, as the economic headaches of the shutdown continue to mount. That includes thousands of flights that are already cancelled for Monday and Tuesday.
Trump suggested earlier Monday that he was unhappy with the air traffic controllers who took time away while they were forgoing paychecks, writing if they don’t return to work immediately, they “will be substantially ‘docked.'”
The bill to end the shutdown will give these air controllers back pay and would keep the government open until Jan. 30 of next year, fund some federal programs like the Agriculture and Veterans Affairs departments for the entire year, and put limits on Trump’s ability to fire federal workers for the next few months, among other provisions.
Travelers are seen at the check-in area at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City (Zhang Fengguo/Xinhua via Getty Images) ·Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
It’s part of a larger agreement that also includes a promise from Senate Majority Leader John Thune to hold a separate vote on the issue of healthcare before the end of the year.
Democratic negotiators say the deal will give their party “control” of what’s in that healthcare bill. But the lack of any immediate vote on that issue drew immediate condemnation from many on the left. Sen. Bernie Sanders called it a “horrific mistake.”
Food benefits also remain in limbo for the week as the Trump administration directed states that began issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits over the weekend to “undo” their efforts.
Read more: How the government shutdown impacts your money: student loans, Social Security, investments, and more
Here are the latest updates as the impacts of the government shutdown unfold.
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Trump administration urges court to keep food aid on hold despite deal
Bloomberg reports:
Read more here.
Senate Advances Bill to End Government Shutdown Amid Growing Economic Concerns
Washington, D.C. — In a significant development, the Senate swiftly advanced a new bill aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown, which has set a record for duration. The move, made on Sunday, signals a potential resolution to the crisis that has left thousands of federal employees without pay and disrupted essential services across the nation.
President Trump expressed his support for the measure on Monday, stating, “We have support from enough Democrats, and we’re going to be opening up our country.” His backing increases the likelihood that the bill will reach his desk within days.
The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later today, after which it will head to the House of Representatives. Speaker Mike Johnson indicated confidence in securing the necessary votes, urging colleagues to return to Capitol Hill as soon as possible. The House has been out of session since mid-September, but Johnson emphasized the urgency of addressing the shutdown’s economic fallout.
As the shutdown drags on, the economic repercussions are becoming increasingly severe. Thousands of flights have already been canceled for Monday and Tuesday, with the aviation industry feeling the strain of reduced air traffic control staffing. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air traffic could “slow to a trickle” if the impasse continues into the busy Thanksgiving travel season.
In a pointed message, Trump criticized air traffic controllers who took time off during the shutdown, suggesting they would face financial penalties if they did not return to work immediately. The proposed bill includes provisions to provide back pay for these workers and keep the government funded until January 30 of next year. It also allocates funding for key federal programs, including the Agriculture and Veterans Affairs departments.
However, the bill has drawn criticism from some Democrats, particularly regarding the lack of an immediate vote on healthcare issues. Senator Bernie Sanders labeled the agreement a “horrific mistake,” highlighting the ongoing struggle for comprehensive healthcare reform.
The shutdown has also cast a shadow over food assistance programs, with the Trump administration directing states to halt the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, further exacerbating food insecurity for millions of Americans.
As lawmakers prepare for a potential vote, the pressure mounts to resolve the shutdown and mitigate its impact on the economy and everyday Americans. With the holiday season approaching, the urgency for a solution has never been greater.
