Senate Negotiations Near Deal to End Government Shutdown, Officials Say
Senate leaders indicated that a bipartisan agreement to reopen the federal government is taking shape, with many observers describing the progress as an "off‑ramp" from the ongoing shutdown. The statement came as the House and Senate continued to trade proposals aimed at funding the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, which began on October 1.
The current impasse, which began after Congress failed to pass a full-year appropriations bill, has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees on unpaid leave and disrupted a range of services from national parks to health‑care processing centers. Lawmakers have been negotiating a series of short‑term funding extensions, known as continuing resolutions, while also debating longer‑term spending caps and policy riders that have historically been attached to such measures.
Officials from both parties emphasized the need for swift action, noting that the longer the shutdown persists, the greater the economic impact on local economies that rely on federal payrolls. Industry analysts warned that the uncertainty could erode consumer confidence and delay private‑sector investments. In addition, senior members of the appropriations committees outlined a framework that would combine a modest funding extension with a bipartisan budget reconciliation plan to address lingering deficits.
While details of the final agreement remain under discussion, the consensus among policymakers is that a resolution is achievable before the end of the month. Should a deal be reached, it would likely restore funding to most federal agencies while allowing additional time for lawmakers to negotiate more comprehensive budget reforms. The administration has pledged to work closely with congressional leaders to ensure a smooth transition back to normal operations, and observers expect that the shutdown will officially end once the Senate votes on the proposed measure.
