Furloughed federal workers would get back pay and laid off employees rehired under a plan to reopen the federal government this week.
The Senate voted 60-40 Sunday night to proceed with a compromise that would make way for passage of a continuing resolution to keep most agencies funded through January.
Congress would also vote on a package with the fiscal 2026 Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs and Legislative Branch bills. The package rejects many cuts proposed by the White House and House Republicans but targets Agriculture Department climate hubs.
“I am optimistic that after almost six weeks of this shutdown, we will finally be able to end it,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.).
Democrats are divided over the path forward, which doesn’t include a deal on expiring expanded Obamacare tax credits. The party is simply getting the promise of a Senate vote on the issue.
Only eight members of the Democratic Caucus agreed to advance the shutdown-ending plan Sunday night: Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and independent Angus King of Maine. None are up for reelection.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) was among those who voted “no.” “I have been clear on this from the beginning: I will not turn my back on the 24 million Americans who will see their premiums more than double if we don’t extend these tax credits,” he said.
But as airport delays mount and people lose food benefits, enough Democrats decided the shutdown needed to end. Party members met behind closed doors for hours Sunday before voting.
“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will,” Kaine said.
House Dems will keep fighting
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said on “Meet the Press” on Sunday, “I don’t think that the House Democratic Caucus is prepared to support a promise, a wing and a prayer, from folks who have been devastating the health care of the American people for years.”
Jeffries later released a statement promising to continue fighting against the deal to reopen government and for expanding the Obamacare subsidies now. Still, the House is almost certain to have enough votes to ratify whatever the Senate does. The White House is also on board.
“We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives, where Mike Johnson [R-La.] will be compelled to end the seven week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation,” said Jeffries.
Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who voted “no,” had been pushing for a second meeting with President Donald Trump, saying a deal could emerge from an Oval Office negotiation. But Trump is digging in against working with Democrats.
“Republicans Should Terminate the Filibuster (THE DEMS WILL DO IT THE FIRST CHANCE THEY GET!), End the Shutdown, Pass lots of Great “Things,” and Win the Midterms. SO EASY TO DO – Be the Smart Party, Not the Stupid Party!,” the president wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.
Earlier in the weekend, Trump said, “NO MORE MONEY, HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TO THE DEMOCRAT SUPPORTED INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR REALLY BAD OBAMACARE.”
Last week’s elections emboldened Democrats to keep fighting for a deal on health care. Leaders maintain they’ve found a winning message on affordability that can help them retake the House and maybe the Senate.
“Democrats are definitely going to take back control of the House of Representatives, and we’re going to stay focused on the issues that matter—lowering the high cost of living, fixing our broken healthcare system and cleaning up corruption to actually deliver a country that works for working-class Americans, for everyday Americans and for middle-class Americans,” Jeffries sad.
But Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) said on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” “Our victory was based on a campaign addressing concerns related to costs and chaos. Virginians need to — and Virginians want to — see the government reopen.”
Federal workers, wildfires
The continuing resolution makes clear that furloughed federal workers would get back pay. The language stems from the White House saying employees forced to stay home may not get any money after the shutdown.
There’s also language to return staffing to preshutdown levels. That’s in response to the White House’s move to conduct new layoffs in recent weeks.
Separately, the CR continues waiving pay caps on wildland firefighters. The bill similarly has provisions to extend wildfire and other disaster spending. And it includes technical language for EPA water grants.
A provision on hemp in the Agriculture spending bill may delay final passage of the agreement. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) secured language against certain hemp products — language opposed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
Thune kept senators in sessions through the weekend to force a compromise. But until Sunday, it was unclear whether one would materialize.
“What we have here is an intergalactic freak show,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said Saturday.
Reporters Jordain Carney, Katherine Tully-McManus and Meredith Lee Hill contributed.
