US Senate Moves to End Record-Breaking Government Shutdown, Clears Path for Funding Vote

The US Senate has taken a critical step toward ending the longest government shutdown in American history, voting to limit debate and advance a motion to resume funding federal agencies.

The Republican-controlled chamber approved the procedural measure 60-40, setting a 30-hour limit on further debate before a final vote. The motion will require a simple majority of 50 votes to pass but must still gain approval from the Republican-led House of Representatives before reaching President Donald Trump’s desk.

The development comes after more than 40 days of shutdown that have frozen federal funding, disrupted air travel, and halted essential government services. Over the weekend, hundreds of flights were canceled at major airports including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston, as air traffic controllers worked without pay.

The breakthrough follows a bipartisan stopgap agreement to fund the government through January, addressing disputes over healthcare subsidies, food benefits, and the Trump administration’s termination of federal employees.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia joined eight Republicans in supporting the measure, emphasizing protections for federal workers. “I need a moratorium on the punishing of the federal workforce,” Kaine said, noting that Virginia alone has 300,000 federal employees who would be restored to duty and receive back pay.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer opposed the plan, criticizing Republican policies that he said have “dismantled the healthcare system and made life harder for American families.”

Republican Senator John Thune hailed the vote as a relief for millions of Americans affected by the shutdown. “After 40 days of uncertainty, nutrition programs, veterans services, and other critical priorities will have full-year funding,” he said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that continued shutdowns could further disrupt travel, especially as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, threatening to slow US air travel “to a trickle.”

The Senate’s procedural move is seen as a major step toward restoring normal government operations and ending a shutdown that has paralyzed key federal programs and burdened families nationwide.