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In an effort to bring an end to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the Senate appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough, with at least 10 Democratic senators poised to support advancing a spending package during a rare Sunday session.
As reported by Axios, sources from both political parties have confirmed that a sufficient number of Democrats are ready to push the legislation forward. This development marks the most significant progress toward resolving the shutdown since it commenced on October 1. Meanwhile, CBS News notes that the Senate gathered for the unusual weekend meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, although no votes had been scheduled by that morning.
The potential agreement would secure full-year funding for key sectors such as Veterans Affairs and military construction, agricultural programs including food assistance, and legislative branch operations. Meanwhile, other government services would receive funding through January 30.
The proposed package represents a compromise between the demands of both Republicans and Democrats, which have been at a standstill in the Senate for over a month. The Republicans have been advocating for reopening the government without addressing healthcare issues, while Democrats have insisted on tackling the impending expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies.
What’s in the Package
Under this deal, Democrats would gain a commitment to a December vote on extending health insurance tax credits that are set to expire in January. These subsidies are crucial for millions of Americans to maintain coverage through ACA marketplaces. However, the deal does not ensure that the extension will pass or receive the President’s approval.
Here’s what Democrats get: a promised vote in December on extending health insurance tax credits that expire in January. The subsidies help millions of Americans afford coverage through ACA marketplaces. But the deal doesn’t guarantee the extension passes or that President Trump signs it.
Also now in play, according to Punchbowl News, is language to undo the mass federal layoffs that began under the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
NEWS — THE FUNDING BILL is set to include language to REVERSE the mass federal layoffs since Oct. 1 — the beginning of the shutdown.
from me @AndrewDesiderio @bresreports
As always, @PunchbowlNews text subscribers got it first.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 9, 2025
Text of the three full-year funding bills began appearing Sunday afternoon on the Senate Appropriations Committee website. The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill totals hundreds of billions in spending for fiscal year 2026.
The agriculture funding portion would address immediate concerns about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Trump administration has been directed by federal courts to issue partial November payments after attempting to withhold food assistance during the shutdown, but full restoration of the program requires Congressional action.
Previous Votes and Changing Dynamics
The Senate has voted 14 times on the House-passed measure to fund the government through Nov. 21. Each time, it has failed to hit the 60-vote threshold needed to move legislation forward. Only three Democrats have backed the Republican bill in those votes: Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and independent Angus King of Maine.
Tuesday’s elections appear to have shifted the math for some senators. President Trump told Senate Republicans at a White House breakfast on Wednesday that he thought the shutdown was a “big factor, negative” for Republicans in the elections.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Saturday the Senate would vote at some point on the new package combining short-term and full-year funding. He didn’t confirm a Sunday vote but told senators to expect to work through the weekend.
How the Vote Will Work
The Senate could vote as soon as Sunday evening on a motion to reconsider the House-passed continuing resolution. That’s just the vehicle. It needs 60 votes.
If the motion passes, the new continuing resolution extending government funding through Jan. 30, plus the three full-year spending bills, would get substituted as the final product. But without a time agreement, the process could drag on for several days.
Here’s the split: A majority of the Senate Democratic caucus is expected to oppose the deal to reopen the government, even though enough Democrats support it to hit the 60-vote threshold. Democrats have to decide whether to drag out the process through procedural delays when passage looks inevitable. Any individual senator can slow things down.
What Could Still Go Wrong
Even with enough Democratic votes to pass, the deal faces pushback. Some progressive Democrats don’t want to vote for any package without guaranteed health care subsidy extensions. They say a promise of a future vote means nothing if President Trump opposes the extension. However, a senior official with the White House has signaled that the president is on board with the current plan.
🚨W.H. SUPPORTS THE SENATE FUNDING FRAMEWORK:
Sr W.H. official: “The President has wanted the government open since day one. This appears to be a good way to accomplish that goal.”
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 9, 2025
For Democrats, however, there is still hesitation due largely to politics.
“I think voters would rightly see it as a surrender,” Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said before his party’s lunch meeting Thursday, adding that Tuesday’s elections and constituent messages have signaled to Democrats that “health care matters.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed the Trump administration Saturday for fighting in court to avoid paying full SNAP benefits and for flight reductions that’ve disrupted travel nationwide. He called the administration’s approach “pathological levels of vindictiveness.”
Republicans say Democrats are dragging out the pain by blocking bills that would immediately pay working federal employees and reopen vital services.
Final Passage and Next Steps
Once the Senate passes the package, the House needs to approve it before it can reach President Trump’s desk. The House has been in recess since passing its continuing resolution in September. Members would need to return to Washington for a vote.
Senate Republican leaders have shot down President Trump’s call to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster threshold to end the shutdown. Thune and other GOP leaders say they don’t have the votes within their caucus to change Senate rules.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
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