Eight senators from the Democratic Party have reached an agreement with Republicans and the White House regarding temporary funding for the US government, effectively ending one of the longest government shutdowns in history. Reports from Politico and CNN cite unnamed high-ranking officials involved in the negotiation process.
The agreement, finalized after weeks of behind-the-scenes discussions, ensures that at least eight Democrats will vote in favor of procedural measures to advance the funding package. This will maintain the 60-vote threshold in the Senate necessary for final passage, where only a simple majority is needed.
The Senate plans to vote on Sunday evening regarding the temporary bill, which will serve as a basis for a broader agreement.
Following approval, the bill must pass the House of Representatives before the government can resume full operations.
As part of the deal, Democrats received a commitment from Senate Majority Leader John Tuna to vote in mid-December for an extension of subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which are set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats will also determine which specific subsidy extension bill will be brought to a vote.
The agreement includes provisions for the return of federal employees laid off during the shutdown, with compensation for the downtime. Relevant agencies must formally notify Congress about the withdrawal of “layoff notices” and the amount of back pay owed. Additionally, a ban on staff reductions in any department or agency will be in effect until January 30, 2026.
President Donald Trump, commenting on the agreement during a football game on Sunday, expressed optimism about the imminent end of the shutdown.
“It seems we are very close to ending the shutdown,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Democratic caucus in the Senate met behind closed doors to discuss further steps. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and several other Democrats pledged to oppose the agreement, insisting on the preservation of health care subsidies. Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized:
“No deal without health insurance,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal.
As noted by Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, the legislative package will fund the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction projects, and congressional activities for the entire fiscal year.