On Sunday, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, representing over 144,000 federal employees, declared his support for a proposed agreement to end the government shutdown. Despite the deal’s shortcomings in extending enhanced health insurance premiums, Kaine chose to back the plan.

The proposed legislation mandates the Trump administration to reinstate federal workers who were dismissed during the shutdown due to reductions in force (RIF). Moreover, it aims to block the Office of Management and Budget from executing further layoffs until January 30, 2026.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, should the continuing resolution be extended past January 30, the prohibition on firing federal employees would remain in effect for the duration of any subsequent funding resolutions.

Kaine emphasized that safeguarding federal employees was a pivotal reason for his endorsement of the agreement. He also noted that securing a Senate vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies represents progress, even though it remains uncertain if the measure will obtain the necessary 60 votes in the Senate, or if the House will take up the matter.

And he said a guaranteed Senate vote on extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act is progress, even if it’s uncertain whether there are 60 votes to pass a bill to do so in the Senate, and a House vote on the issue isn’t certain.

“I have long said that to earn my vote, we need to be on a path toward fixing Republicans’ health care mess and to protect the federal workforce,” Kaine said in a statement.

 “This legislation will protect federal workers from baseless firings, reinstate those who have been wrongfully terminated during the shutdown, and ensure federal workers receive back pay, as required by a law I got passed in 2019. That’s a critical step that will help federal employees and all Americans who rely on government services,” he said.

Kaine presented the details of the protections for federal workers during a two-hour Senate Democratic caucus meeting Sunday night.