The Senate voted 60-40 to advance a spending bill, breaking a 40-day government shutdown. This matters as it impacts federal workers, food assistance, and air travel disruptions.

On November 9, 2025, the Senate voted 60-40 to advance a spending bill aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which has lasted 40 days. This bipartisan agreement, supported by eight Democrats, seeks to fund most federal agencies through January. The shutdown has left many federal workers furloughed and millions of Americans at risk of losing food assistance, causing significant disruptions in air travel. Despite the urgency to reopen the government, the deal has faced criticism from within the Democratic Party, particularly regarding the lack of provisions for extending health insurance subsidies. Key Democratic leaders expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing that the compromise fails to address critical health care needs. The legislation includes measures to reverse layoffs of federal workers and ensure back pay, but many Democrats remain divided over the concessions made to Republicans.