Washington, D.C. — November 10, 2025 — A new bipartisan bill aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown cleared a major hurdle Monday night as the Senate passed the measure, with eight Democrats joining Republicans in support.
The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives, setting the stage for a potential resolution to the weeks-long shutdown within days. House leaders plan to bring the bill to a vote as early as 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, even as hundreds of lawmakers contend with travel delays — many caused by the shutdown itself.
House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced confidence the measure will pass, urging members to return to Washington immediately. “You need to begin right now in returning to the Hill,” he told colleagues Monday.
President Donald Trump endorsed the bill Monday afternoon, significantly boosting its chances of enactment. “We have support from enough Democrats, and we’re going to be opening up our country,” he told reporters.
Mounting Shutdown Fallout
The shutdown’s toll on the economy continues to grow. Travel disruptions worsened this week, with more than a thousand flights canceled on Tuesday alone, including at Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.
President Trump also criticized air traffic controllers who have missed work while unpaid, warning that those who do not return “will be substantially docked.”
What’s in the Bill
The proposed legislation would:
- Reopen the federal government through January 30, 2026
- Provide back pay to furloughed federal employees, including air traffic controllers
- Fully fund key departments such as Agriculture and Veterans Affairs for the fiscal year
- Restrict the president’s ability to dismiss federal workers over the next several months
The agreement also includes a commitment from Senate Majority Leader John Thune to hold a separate vote on healthcare policy before year’s end — a concession to Democrats. However, the delay drew criticism from progressives. Senator Bernie Sanders called the omission of an immediate healthcare vote “a horrific mistake.”
Meanwhile, uncertainty persists for low-income Americans. The Trump administration has instructed states that began issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits early to “undo” those payments, leaving millions unsure when food aid will resume.
As the bill moves toward a final vote, both markets and federal workers are watching closely, hoping this week marks the end of one of the most disruptive shutdowns in recent history.
