The United States Senate has voted to approve a stopgap funding bill to end the ongoing government shutdown, sending the measure to the House of Representatives for final passage before it can be signed into law by President Joe Biden.
In a late-night session on Capitol Hill, senators from both parties came together to pass the bill aimed at reopening federal agencies and restoring critical services that had been halted due to the budget impasse. The bipartisan legislation extends government funding through February 2026, buying lawmakers additional time to negotiate a long-term spending plan.
The bill, which cleared the Senate with a comfortable bipartisan margin, includes provisions to fund key government departments, maintain social services, and ensure the continued payment of federal employees. It also safeguards defense, healthcare, and education programs that were at risk during the shutdown.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the passage as a victory for “common sense and cooperation,” saying the move showed that “Congress can still work together to protect the American people from unnecessary harm.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, while expressing reservations about federal spending levels, said ending the shutdown was “the responsible course of action.” He added that “no one benefits when government grinds to a halt.”
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to face pressure from both progressive Democrats and hardline Republicans over funding priorities. Still, early indications suggest that the measure is likely to pass, given growing public frustration over the shutdown’s economic and social impacts.
Economists warn that prolonged shutdowns cost billions in lost productivity, delay federal programs, and harm public confidence. Analysts estimate that the current closure has already shaved an estimated $6 billion off U.S. economic output.
If approved by the House, the bill will be sent to President Biden for immediate signature, officially ending the latest round of political brinkmanship that has plagued Washington in recent years.
The Senate’s vote marks a critical step toward restoring government operations and easing tensions in the nation’s capital. As the bill awaits House action, all eyes are on lawmakers to ensure that federal workers and services can resume without further delay.
