Bipartisan Bill Ends Government Shutdown, Funds Agencies Through September 2026
U.S. Senate passed bipartisan spending package, ending 41-day government shutdown. It fully funds SNAP and agencies through September 2026, ensuring federal employee back pay.
Overview
The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan spending package by a 60-40 vote, effectively ending the record 41-day government shutdown that significantly impacted Q4 economic growth.
This comprehensive bill includes provisions to fully fund SNAP benefits, government agencies, and various programs through September 2026, providing long-term financial stability.
The legislation guarantees full back pay and rehiring for furloughed federal employees, reversing previous Trump administration layoffs and offering immediate financial relief.
Notably, the approved funding package excludes enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, a key Democratic demand and a primary reason for the prolonged government shutdown.
Several Senate Democrats broke party lines to support the Republican-led effort, causing significant internal upset and raising questions about Chuck Schumer's leadership within the party.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources collectively frame the story by emphasizing the political fallout for Republicans from the government shutdown. While some outlets offer neutral updates on the reopening, others analyze the "political hit" taken by the GOP, using evaluative language and focusing on polling and election results to underscore their "worse shape" and potential for a "midterm debacle."
Sources (200)
Center (73)
FAQ
The main reasons for the prolonged shutdown were disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over spending proposals, particularly the Democrats' demand to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, which was not included in the final bipartisan bill.
The 41-day shutdown significantly impacted Q4 economic growth, with estimates suggesting a loss of up to $14 billion in economic output and a reduction in GDP growth by as much as 2 percentage points for the quarter.
The bipartisan bill provided full back pay and rehiring for furloughed federal employees, reversed previous Trump administration layoffs, and fully funded SNAP benefits and government agencies through September 2026.
Some Senate Democrats supported the Republican-led package due to concerns over the economic impact of the prolonged shutdown and the need to ensure government funding and stability, despite internal party disagreements over the exclusion of enhanced ACA subsidies.
The exclusion of enhanced ACA premium subsidies was a major point of contention, as it was a key Democratic demand and a primary reason for the shutdown, leading to internal party conflict and questions about leadership.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.