US Senate Approves Deal to End Longest-Ever Government Shutdown After 40 Days of Deadlock

The procedural vote saw a minority of Democrats joining Republicans to back an agreement designed to restore federal funding that lapsed on October 1, leading to widespread disruption across government departments and services.

The measure represents the first major step toward reopening federal agencies and paying hundreds of thousands of furloughed workers. However, the deal still faces additional hurdles, including approval by the House of Representatives and the President’s signature, before full government operations can resume.

“Today’s Senate vote is a breakthrough — a signal that compromise is still possible in Washington,” said one lawmaker following the session.

The deal emerged after an intense weekend of negotiations between Senate leaders and White House representatives, who were under growing pressure from both the public and business community to end the stalemate.

The shutdown, which began when the federal government ran out of funds at the start of the new fiscal year, has had far-reaching consequences — from delayed paychecks for federal employees to disruptions in public services, national parks, and security operations.

What the Deal Includes

The proposed agreement reportedly provides temporary funding for federal operations while broader negotiations continue over the annual budget and key policy disagreements that triggered the shutdown. Details of the compromise are expected to be debated further when the Senate reconvenes at 11:00 a.m. local time (16:00 GMT) on Monday.

Analysts say the Senate’s move could help rebuild public confidence in government functionality after the prolonged impasse, though political divisions remain sharp.

Reactions and Next Steps

Economists have warned that the 40-day shutdown has already taken a toll on the U.S. economy, with billions lost in productivity and consumer spending. Federal workers, many of whom have been working without pay, are now waiting anxiously for the final legislative approval to ensure back pay and the resumption of operations.

The House of Representatives is expected to take up the measure later this week. If passed, it would mark the end of a record-breaking shutdown that underscored deep partisan divides in Washington.

For now, the Senate’s action offers the first real sign of progress in resolving one of the most challenging budget crises the U.S. government has faced in decades.