Senate Passes Stopgap Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown
On Monday, the Senate approved amendments to a temporary funding bill designed to prevent a government shutdown, which now heads back to the House for review as its members return to Washington.
All Republican senators, minus Rand Paul from Kentucky, along with eight Democrats, supported the measure, allowing it to bypass a filibuster with the required 60 votes. The legislation funds government operations until January 30, 2026.
In addition, it secures funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) until September 30, 2026, catering to around 42 million Americans. It also allocates resources for veterans’ health care, military construction, and various legislative efforts.
House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana urged lawmakers to come back to Capitol Hill immediately, with a vote scheduled 36 hours post-Senate approval of this “clean” continuing resolution, which initially passed by a slim margin on September 19.
Interestingly, 40 Democrats—including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—who initially pushed for a shutdown on October 1, later shifted their stance and voted alongside Republicans.
A number of Democratic senators—including Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, Jacky Rosen, and Minority Whip Dick Durbin—joined the Republican side to support ending the 40-day shutdown.
The Democrats managed to secure a concession: a vow to consider extending the Affordable Care Act tax credit, a proposal introduced by Senate Majority Leader John Thune weeks earlier, following the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
On the same day, President Trump assured adherence to rules regarding the reemployment of federal workers laid off during the shutdown.
Senators John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Angus King supported the funding bill multiple times before five other Democrats helped overcome the filibuster on Sunday. King later admitted that resisting Trump had not been effective.
Later that evening, the Senate reconvened to discuss further legislative amendments, including a year-round budget and a proposal from Rand Paul aiming to lift restrictions on certain hemp products.
Senator Tammy Baldwin pushed for an amendment to extend the Obamacare subsidies that were temporarily expanded under the Biden administration for one additional year, with the current credits set to expire at the end of 2025.
However, Johnson has not guaranteed that the House would even vote on the bill if it clears the Senate.
If the House approves it, SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) would receive funds for expenses incurred during the shutdown, ensuring back pay for both furloughed and non-furloughed federal employees.
This provision would affect thousands of air traffic controllers who had to manage increased workloads during the shutdown, leading to fewer available flights to mitigate delays and cancellations.
Additionally, Senate Republicans highlighted national security enhancements in the bill, including funding to help the Food and Drug Administration combat illegal sales of Chinese e-cigarettes and a prohibition on U.S. Capitol Police from acquiring drones manufactured by Huawei and ZTE Corporation.
The bill also earmarks $4.1 billion for local infrastructure, housing, and business development and a substantial $19.7 billion in year-round funding for 300 military construction initiatives.
