Senate Advances Revised Plan to Reopen Federal Government

WASHINGTON (Nov 9, 2025) — The Senate appeared closer Sunday to advancing a revised plan to reopen the federal government, with enough Democrats signaling support for a measure that could end the 40-day shutdown.

The updated proposal, released earlier in the day, would fund the government through Jan. 30, 2026, reverse the firings of furloughed federal employees, and provide back pay once operations resume. Lawmakers are expected to take the first of three votes on the measure late Sunday night.

The proposal still requires action from the House before the government can officially reopen. Negotiations continue over several unresolved policy issues, including the future of certain health care subsidies, which have been a key point of contention between the two chambers.

According to the Associated Press, five Democrats changed their votes to support moving the plan forward. In addition to Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Angus King of Maine, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia — home to tens of thousands of federal workers — also voted in favor. They were joined by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, and Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, all of whom voted yes.

Meanwhile, members of the Senate Appropriations Committee introduced a three-bill “minibus” spending package on Sunday afternoon. The package is intended to help restart the broader government funding process and support a longer-term budget agreement.

Under the current plan, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., will bring up the original House-passed continuing resolution (CR) for a vote, serving as the legislative vehicle for the minibus and the revised short-term funding measure. Two additional votes will follow before the combined package can advance from the Senate to the House, and then to President Donald Trump’s desk for final approval.

If enacted, the legislation would allow federal employees to return to work and receive back pay, providing temporary relief while longer-term funding discussions continue into the new year.