A historic breakthrough has been made in the US Senate, as a bill to end the longest government shutdown in American history has finally been passed. This compromise, which aims to resolve a weeks-long stalemate, has far-reaching implications for millions of Americans.
The vote, with a 60-40 majority, was supported by nearly all Republicans and a handful of Democrats. However, the agreement sets up a December vote on health subsidies, benefiting 24 million people, but it doesn't guarantee their continuation.
The deal aims to restore funding for federal agencies, stalling President Trump's plan to downsize the federal workforce and preventing layoffs until January 30th. But here's where it gets controversial: the deal doesn't appear to include any measures to prevent further spending cuts by Trump.
The agreement now heads to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, with Speaker Mike Johnson expressing his desire to pass it swiftly. Trump has praised the deal, calling it "very good," but many Democrats are angry, noting the uncertainty surrounding the extension of health insurance subsidies.
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the chamber's second-in-command Democrat, expressed regret, saying, "We wish we could do more." He added, "The government shutdown seemed like an opportunity for better policy, but it didn't work."
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that Americans are divided, with 50% blaming Republicans and 43% blaming Democrats for the shutdown. US stocks rose yesterday, buoyed by the news of a potential government reopening.
But this deal also raises questions about Trump's unilateral actions, which have intruded on Congress's constitutional authority over fiscal matters. Some Democrats are questioning why they should support any spending deals going forward, given Trump's past violations of spending laws.
And this is the part most people miss: the deal funds the SNAP food-subsidy program until September next year, preventing disruptions if Congress shuts down the government again.
In a separate development, Trump has threatened air traffic controllers who fail to return to work, as flight cancellations surge due to staff shortages during the shutdown. Trump's comments came after serious disruptions in the US aviation system, with air traffic controller absences soaring as they work without pay.
An airline trade group reported that 1.2 million customers had their flights delayed or canceled over the weekend due to air traffic issues. Trump threatened to "dock" the pay of controllers who don't return and offered $10,000 bonuses to those who haven't taken time off during the 41-day shutdown.
"All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!" Trump wrote on social media. "REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY."
Even before the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration was already short-staffed, with many controllers working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks. Officials question how the White House could deny pay under the controllers' union contract once the government reopens, as Trump threatened.
"I don't know - I'll get it from some place," Trump told Fox News.
The FAA reported that 20% to 40% of air traffic controllers have been absent daily at the 30 biggest US airports during the shutdown. Ground delay or ground stop programs have been imposed at nine airports, including Houston, New York, and Chicago, causing flight delays and cancellations.
