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Government Shutdown Nears End as Senate Passes Bill, House Vote Looms
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The U.S. government is poised to reopen after 41 days of a partial shutdown, as the Senate on Tuesday approved a funding package by a vote of 60-40. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where a vote could occur as early as Wednesday afternoon, perhaps ending a crisis that has impacted hundreds of thousands of federal employees and strained essential services.
Impact on Federal Workers Deepens
The ongoing shutdown has already taken a significant toll on federal workers, especially those deemed non-essential. Air traffic controllers are facing the prospect of missing their second full paycheck on Tuesday, creating financial hardship for families. “It is tough when your children are asking you questions about, Dad, can we, you know, go on vacation or can we do this or can we do dance or could we do basketball, and you don’t have those extra funds.It is indeed terrible,” one affected employee told CBS News.
The financial strain is exacerbating existing workforce challenges. At least 18 air traffic control facilities reported staffing shortfalls Monday evening, signaling increased absences due to the prolonged lack of pay. Federal law mandates that back pay be distributed “at the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, irrespective of scheduled pay dates,” offering some relief, but not immediately addressing the current crisis.
Bipartisan Breakthrough and Shifting Dynamics
The Senate’s approval represents a significant, albeit fragile, bipartisan breakthrough. Eight members of the Democratic caucus joined with nearly all Republicans to overcome a procedural hurdle and ultimately pass the funding package. This shift highlights a growing willingness among some Democrats to prioritize ending the shutdown, even if it means deviating from party lines.
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a key figure in the bipartisan effort, explained his rationale. “I’ve been one of the very few that have been voting consistently since the beginning that it’s always wrong to shut our government down,” he stated on “CBS mornings.” Fetterman believes that a pragmatic approach is necessary, particularly given the current political landscape. “America decided to put us in the minority,” he said, emphasizing the need to “negotiate with Republicans.” He added, “Two things must be true – that I want to make health care more affordable for Obamacare, but I also think that our government should never be held as a hostage, whether it’s a Republican or it’s a democrat, it’s always wrong.”
reactions from Washington
The resolution of the Senate vote has prompted reactions from across the political spectrum. Former President Donald Trump weighed in, criticizing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for his handling of the negotiations. “He thought he could break the Republicans and the republicans broke him. But he did think that,” Trump told Fox News. He also expressed a sense of disappointment in Schumer’s recent political trajectory,stating he had “never seen a politician change so much.”
The House, which has been out of session since September 19, is preparing to reconvene and vote on the Senate-passed bill. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has indicated that voting could begin as early as 4 p.m. on Wednesday, with multiple votes anticipated before the bill is sent to President Trump’s desk.
