The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has finally come to an end after the Senate approved a contentious spending package in a 60–40 vote. The agreement, reached in November 2025, reopens the federal government and offers much-needed relief to millions of Americans who endured missed paychecks, stalled food assistance, and widespread disruptions to public services. Still, it has deeply divided Democrats because it entirely excludes their top priority: extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance subsidies.
What the Deal Includes
The package funds most federal agencies through January 30, 2026, and separately approves spending for agriculture, military construction, and legislative offices. Importantly, it reverses shutdown-related layoffs and guarantees retroactive pay for hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers — an urgent step after weeks of financial strain.
Nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will also regain funding, although certain court rulings mean some benefits may not restart immediately for all recipients.
On the ACA subsidies, Democrats’ major sticking point, the deal offers no renewal. Republicans refused to negotiate on health care while the government remained shut down. Instead, Senate Majority Leader John Thune pledged that the Senate would hold a vote on the issue in December. With the House—controlled by Republicans—making no such promise, Democrats fear the delay will allow premiums to spike for millions later this year.
Democrats Who Broke with Their Party
Eight Democrats and Democratic-aligned senators voted for the package despite party leaders urging them to hold firm. The group included moderates, a retiring senator, and others not facing reelection.
Their reasoning was straightforward: Republicans would not discuss health-care policy during the shutdown, and everyday Americans were bearing the brunt of the standoff. Continuing the impasse, they argued, would do more harm than good.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) put it plainly: “We had no path forward on health care because the Republicans said, ‘We will not talk about health care with the government shut down.’”
Similarly, Senator Angus King (I-ME) argued that prolonging the shutdown would not make an ACA extension more likely, adding, “What there is evidence of is the harm that the shutdown is doing to the country.”
Fierce Backlash Inside the Democratic Party
The vote sparked intense criticism from Democratic leaders and activists. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) condemned the deal, saying it “fails to do anything of substance to fix America’s health care crisis.” Senator Ed Markey (MA) accused the defectors of boosting former President Trump’s policy agenda and weakening essential safety-net programs. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) added that the eight senators “would have to explain themselves to their constituents and the American people.”
No major national Democratic figure stepped in to defend the compromise. While a few Democratic governors, such as Wisconsin’s Tony Evers, expressed sympathy for the difficult position the senators faced, outspoken leaders like California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized their decision.
What Happens Next
Although the Senate’s vote marks a major turning point, the bill must still clear the Republican-controlled House, where both Democrats and some Republicans remain wary. If it passes, President Trump has indicated he will sign it.
Once enacted, federal agencies will begin ramping up operations, processing back pay, and restoring programs — but the restart could take several days.
The central fight over ACA subsidies, however, is far from over. The December vote promised by Senate leadership could fail, leaving millions at risk of higher premiums and reduced coverage options.
The Senate’s agreement ends a historic shutdown and provides immediate relief to workers and families, but it postpones a major policy battle over health-care affordability. The deal has also exposed sharp internal divides within the Democratic Party, leaving leaders to navigate fallout from within and pressure from the public. As Congress prepares for the next round of negotiations, the future of ACA subsidies—and the stability of Americans’ health coverage—remains uncertain.
