Payam Javan: In a significant late-night move, the U.S. Senate voted 60–40 on Nov. 10 to pass a long-awaited funding package that will reopen the federal government through January 2026. The vote included eight Democrats crossing the aisle to side with Republicans, marking a rare moment of bipartisan pragmatism after months of gridlock. The bill secures continued funding for crucial programs such as SNAP and ensures government operations will remain stable well into the new year. President Donald Trump signaled cautious support, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.
The package includes two main components: a clean stopgap measure to keep government offices open and a “minibus” appropriations bill providing full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture and related food assistance programs. Millions of Americans had faced disruptions in SNAP and WIC benefits due to the shutdown. With the Senate’s approval, the bill now heads to the House, which is expected to reconvene shortly to finalize the legislation. If passed, it will end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and mark a significant legislative victory for the Trump administration’s fiscal strategy.
The vote wasn’t without controversy. Several progressive Democrats condemned their colleagues for supporting the bill without securing a one-year extension of Obamacare tax credits, claiming millions could face higher insurance premiums. However, analysts and Republican lawmakers dismissed these claims as exaggerated, arguing that Democrats were attempting to use Americans’ healthcare costs as leverage in political negotiations. Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised a separate December vote on ACA subsidies, a move that drew little enthusiasm from Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders.
Adding to the night’s drama, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky temporarily blocked the bill, objecting to a hemp-related provision inserted by Senator Mitch McConnell that would roll back parts of the 2018 Farm Bill. Paul defended Kentucky’s hemp farmers, insisting the clause would harm small businesses. The dispute was ultimately settled with an amendment vote, allowing the package to move forward. With this bill’s passage, President Trump continues to demonstrate his ability to unite reluctant Democrats and keep America’s priorities—strong borders, stable governance, and economic security—at the forefront of national policy.
