US Senate moves forward with bill to end government shutdown

The US Senate advanced early Monday in voting on a bill that extends government funding until January 30, 2026, a crucial step to end the country’s longest shutdown, now lasting 40 days. By a 60-40 vote, the package reached the minimum required to overcome Senate obstruction, after weeks of deadlock between Democrats and Republicans. The bill includes reversing the federal employee dismissals ordered by President Donald Trump during the shutdown and ensures guarantees to prevent new layoffs until the end of the fiscal year. It also ensures back pay for affected workers and maintains funding for food assistance programs until 2026.