The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on a major spending measure aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history. The proposal, developed by GOP leadership, would fund federal agencies through early next year while postponing more contentious issues for separate consideration.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated the legislation offers a “serious path forward” for reopening the government and restoring operations that have been dormant for over five weeks. The plan covers continuing resolutions for military construction, agriculture, and other critical departments, and includes back pay for furloughed federal workers and activation of key programs now on hold.
Democrats remain cautious: while some have signaled willingness to support the measure, they insist extensions of health-insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act also be included. If the bill passes in the Senate, it will still need approval from the House and the White House in order to take effect.
With billions of dollars in federal services frozen and millions of Americans affected by the disruption, lawmakers from both parties say time is running short to avert further economic damage and public hardship.