• The Senate advanced a measure Sunday to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, restoring federal benefits.
  • A bipartisan group of eight Senate Democrats negotiated the deal with Republican leaders and the White House.
  • The agreement funds government through January and secures full-year SNAP and WIC benefits, while reversing mass federal worker firings.

In a rare Sunday session, the Senate voted to advance legislation that would reopen the federal government after the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The breakthrough came after eight Senate Democrats successfully negotiated terms with Senate Republican leadership and White House officials, according to people familiar with the matter.

The deal includes provisions to fund government operations through the end of January while allocating full fiscal-year funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits. These nutrition programs had faced potential disruption had the shutdown continued. The legislation also reverses the mass firings of federal workers that occurred during the shutdown period.

"This agreement represents the first real progress we've seen in weeks," said one Senate aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the negotiations publicly. "The immediate restoration of benefits was a non-negotiable point for our side."

While House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has publicly opposed the legislation, Republican leaders believe they have sufficient votes to secure passage in the lower chamber, where only a simple majority is required. The Senate typically needs 60 votes to overcome procedural hurdles, though Sunday's vote suggests bipartisan support exists to move forward.

As part of the compromise, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has committed to holding a future vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, though the measure's prospects remain uncertain. The ACA provision had been a major sticking point throughout the negotiations, with Democrats insisting on addressing healthcare subsidies while Republicans sought to separate the issues.

The immediate economic impact centers on the restoration of federal benefits that millions of Americans rely on for food security and household stability. Previous government shutdowns have historically reduced GDP growth and disrupted critical services, making this resolution crucial for both economic and social stability.

Efforts to reach House Republican leadership for comment on their vote-counting efforts were unsuccessful Sunday evening. A White House spokesperson declined to comment on the negotiations but indicated the administration would review the final legislation.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of Senate Democrats involved in negotiations. The talks included eight Senate Democrats.