US Senate reaches agreement to fund government until January 30

A bipartisan agreement in the Senate has been reached to fund the government until January 30, 2026, and to set a vote on an Affordable Care Act bill in December, according to a source familiar with the matter. The source stated that there are enough members in the Senate’s Democratic caucus to move forward with the plan and end the government shutdown, which has been ongoing for 40 days. At least eight Democratic senators agreed to vote in favor of the agreement, which was negotiated on Sunday night between three former governors (Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Angus King, and Maggie Hassan), Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and the White House. The agreement includes a reversal of the federal employee furloughs initiated by President Donald Trump, as well as provisions to prevent such actions in the future, the source added. It would also ensure that food assistance programs are funded through the fiscal year 2026. Republican leaders in the House and Senate are expected to negotiate with Democrats on this bill in the coming weeks following the government’s reopening.