On Sunday, November 9, senators took their first major step by voting 60–40 to move forward with a bipartisan agreement that would reopen key government agencies. The decision followed an intense weekend of negotiations in Washington.

A few Democrats crossed party lines to support the deal, which aims to fund several federal departments for the full fiscal year, including Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and military construction projects. Other agencies will receive temporary funding until January 30, 2026, under a short-term resolution.

In return, the Trump administration agreed to reinstate government workers who lost their jobs when the shutdown began and to allow a December Senate vote on extending Obamacare tax credits.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed optimism before the vote, saying, “After 40 long days, I’m hopeful we can finally bring this shutdown to an end.”

The bipartisan framework was shaped by Thune and Democratic senators including Angus King, Jeanne Shaheen, and Maggie Hassan, alongside key Republican figures like Susan Collins, chair of the Appropriations Committee.

Although Sunday’s vote doesn’t end the shutdown immediately, it clears the path for a full funding bill to be considered later this week. The proposal still needs approval from the House of Representatives before federal operations can fully resume.

However, some conservative senators — including Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Rick Scott — raised concerns about the overall budget process and demanded additional votes on certain amendments before giving full support.

Despite the lingering debates, the Senate’s action marks the strongest signal yet that lawmakers are ready to put the 40-day impasse behind them and get the government running again.