The US Senate advanced, in the early hours of this Monday (10), in voting on a project that provides for the extension of government funding until January 30, 2026, a fundamental step towards ending the longest strike in the country’s history, which has already lasted 40 days.
The package received 60 votes to 40, after weeks of deadlock between Democrats and Republicans. The text includes the reversal of those determined by President Donald Trump during the strike and provides guarantees to avoid new layoffs until the end of the fiscal year.
It also ensures retroactive payment to affected employees and maintains funding for food assistance programs until 2026.
This was the result of an intense round of negotiations over the weekend, led by senators Jeanne Shaheen, Angus King and Maggie Hassan, all former governors, by the leader of the Republican majority in the Senate, John Thune, and by the White House.
At least eight Democratic senators broke with the party leadership and decided to support the text, allowing the blockade to be overcome.
Among them are Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, Tim Kaine, Jacky Rosen, Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Democratic Minority Leader Dick Durbin and independent Angus King.
Republican Rand Paul was the only one from his party to vote against it.
During the vote, four Republicans delayed voting and even met with Thune and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo before confirming support for the package.
Senator Ron Johnson, one of the last to vote, simply said that there were “unfinished business” after a quick handshake.
Despite progress, the agreement still needs to be analyzed by the Chamber of Representatives, which should be convened in the next few hours.
The Democratic leadership informed parliamentarians that votes could take place this week, with 36 hours’ notice due to flight cancellations caused by the strike.
The Senate session will resume this Monday morning to continue processing the legislation, which also foresees a vote, in December, on the Affordable Care Act.
With approval in the Senate, party leaders hope to end the political and economic crisis that has left hundreds of thousands of employees without pay and paralyzed public services across the country.
