Senate Passes Shutdown-Ending Bill, Sends to House for Vote

The U.S. Senate voted 60 to 40 to approve a continuing resolution to reopen the government, ending a record-long shutdown that had lasted 41 days. The measure would fund much of the government through January 30 and provide funding for some agencies through the end of next September. The Senate's approval of the stopgap funding bill came after a bipartisan group of senators reached an agreement over the weekend. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for a vote, where its passage is not guaranteed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., expressed optimism about the bill's chances, saying, "We're hopeful that the House will pass this bill and send it to the president's desk for signature." However, some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the bill's provisions, including Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who was the sole GOP no vote, stating, "I'm not sure this is the right solution, but I'm willing to work with my colleagues to find a better one." The government shutdown had caused widespread disruptions, including missed paychecks for millions of federal workers, delayed food assistance benefits, and air travel disruptions. The shutdown had also had a significant impact on the economy, with many businesses and industries affected by the lack of government funding. The Senate's approval of the continuing resolution is seen as a relief to many, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the long-term implications of the bill. The continuing resolution would provide temporary funding for the government, but it does not address the underlying issues that led to the shutdown. Lawmakers will need to come back to the negotiating table to reach a long-term agreement on government funding. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., acknowledged the need for further negotiations, saying, "While this bill is a step in the right direction, we still have a long way to go to address the underlying issues that led to this shutdown." The House of Representatives is expected to take up the bill in the coming days, but its passage is not guaranteed. If the bill passes the House, it will be sent to President Donald Trump for signature, who has expressed support for the bill. The Senate's approval of the continuing resolution brings an end to the record-long shutdown, but it remains to be seen whether the bill will ultimately become law.