WASHINGTON (AP) — Legislative package to end government shutdown Things appeared to be back on track Monday after several Senate Democrats worked with Republicans to break the impasse. deepening confusion federal Programs and servicesthe longest in history.
What’s in it? What’s in it? bipartisan agreement It has drawn sharp criticism, and few senators are entirely satisfied. This law provides funding to restart the government. SNAP food assistance While securing back pay for programs such as Furloughed federal employees The Trump administration had doubts remained.
However, what is clearly missing is Expired medical aid Democrats have been fighting for it, with millions of Americans looking down. Increase in insurance premiums. The debate has been postponed to a vote next month, weeks before the subsidy expires.
President Donald Trump He mentioned the agreement when he arrived at the White House after watching the game. washington commanders game Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Lions marks the 40th day since the funds expired. “It looks like we’re nearing the end of the shutdown,” he said.
The Senate could pass it as early as Monday. The bill cleared a procedural hurdle late Sunday on a 60-40 vote, with eight Democrats joining most Republicans. In an unusual dissent, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against the bill, saying it did not do enough to address health care funding.
It then goes to the House of Commons. MPs were absent It’s been since September, but he was told to prepare to return to Washington this week. Then I’ll go to President Trump’s desk to get his signature.
Here’s a summary of the deal moving through Congress:
Funding for government reopening at this time
It also includes emergency funding to keep much of the federal government running for the next several months, through January 30th. It provides most of the funding for government operations at current interest rates.
But in a break from what is considered a more normal spending process, the package also includes several bills to fully fund veterans services through September 2026, as well as other government projects, including agricultural programs and military construction.
Additionally, the package guarantees that states will be reimbursed for the costs they spend keeping the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) open during the government shutdown.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, chair of the Appropriations Committee, said she was “relieved.”
“This closure has been going on for too long,” she said. “I also think it’s very important that we have a three-year spending bill attached. Veterans Day is coming up soon, and it would be great to sign a year-round VA bill.”
Funding for health care remains controversial
Democrats failed to secure key demands during the government shutdown. It was an extension of the health care subsidies that many of the 24 million people insured through the Affordable Care Act rely on to cover their costs.
Instead, the package guarantees a vote on the issue in December, which was not enough for a majority of Democrats, who rejected the deal and voted against it.
“The American people want us to stand up and fight for health care,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts.
Federal employees receive reprieve
The package is aimed at reducing some of the damage to federal workers associated with the Trump administration’s government shutdown. Employees faced Repeated threats of layoffs and mass layoffs this year.
This stopgap measure will allow federal employees who were receiving benefits to return to work. Notice of personnel reduction and layoffs and protect against such future actions.
It would also provide back pay to federal employees who were furloughed or worked without pay during the government shutdown, which has traditionally been provided but was not guaranteed as threatened by the Trump administration.
deliver the bill to the president’s desk
Political and procedural hurdles remain as the Republican-controlled Congress moves forward with further votes and the shutdown enters its 41st day on Monday.
Senators want to skip a series of steps that could drag the vote through this week if opponents play a long game.
One Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted against moving forward with the policy on Sunday, and he is said to have concerns about the provisions regarding the hemp industry. Three ultra-conservative Republican senators also held up the vote for more than two hours, demanding consideration of their ideas. It is unclear whether any of them are planning further protests.
The Democratic Party, which has been fighting for the past month to maintain health care subsidies, is uncertain about its future response as final passage may be delayed.
And the bill will face new scrutiny if it goes to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana holds a narrow Republican majority and would likely require almost all Republicans to support the bill, despite opposition from Democrats who support health care funding.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said his party intends to fight the bill, forcing House Republicans to pass it almost alone.
“I do not support any spending bill proposed by Senate Republicans that does not extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits,” Jeffries said. “Donald Trump and the Republican Party own the toxic mess they created.”
