Government Shutdown Nears End as House Panel Advances Senate-Passed Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. — The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is on the verge of ending as a key House panel advanced a Senate-passed funding bill on Tuesday, setting the stage for a final vote in the full House as soon as Wednesday. The Senate approved the bill on Monday by a 60-40 vote, with bipartisan support, sending the measure to the House for consideration. If the House passes the bill and President Trump signs it, funding will be restored through January 30, 2026, allowing federal agencies and services to resume operations.
The legislation includes funding extensions for most federal agencies until late January, with full-year appropriations for select departments such as Agriculture and Veterans Affairs. It also provides for back pay to furloughed federal workers and sets aside funding to reverse shutdown-related layoffs.
Federal employees who have been furloughed—numbering approximately 670,000—are expected to return to work immediately once the bill is signed into law. Essential workers who have worked without pay, including TSA officers and air traffic controllers, will receive back pay. The shutdown has caused significant disruptions, including thousands of canceled and delayed flights, as the Federal Aviation Administration was forced to reduce flights by 10% at major airports due to staffing shortages.
House Republican leaders expressed confidence that the bill will pass quickly in the House, while President Trump has indicated his intent to sign the legislation promptly. The shutdown, which began on September 20, disrupted government services nationwide and impacted federal workers and many public programs, including SNAP benefits, which will resume upon enactment of the funding bill.
The government shutdown has highlighted intense political divisions in Congress, with dissent within both parties. Nonetheless, the bipartisan vote in the Senate and the House panel’s approval signal a breakthrough aimed at restoring government functionality and easing the impacts on millions of Americans.
The House is expected to reconvene for votes starting Wednesday afternoon, marking a potential end to the impasse. If passed and signed, agencies will immediately begin the process of reopening, and services will gradually return to normal operations.