US Senate passes legislation to end longest government shutdown
By a vote of 60-40, senators passed H.R.5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, in its amended form.
Several Democratic senators—including Catherine Cortez Masto, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, Angus King, Jacky Rosen, and Jeanne Shaheen—joined Republicans in supporting the measure. Republican Senator Rand Paul opposed the bill, which will extend federal funding through January 30, 2026.
The legislation also includes three-year appropriations packages for key agencies and programs and reinstates federal employees who lost their jobs due to the shutdown.
"This has been a very long road, quite literally the longest shutdown in history. I am very, very happy to be able to say that we are coming to the end," Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor following the vote.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for final approval. Lawmakers there are expected to return to Washington on Wednesday for the first time since September 19, after Speaker Mike Johnson urged an immediate return as the shutdown continues to disrupt air travel nationwide.
The shutdown began on October 1 following a breakdown in negotiations over federal spending priorities. Since then, thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or forced to work without pay, while many government services have been reduced or suspended.
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