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Bipartisan US shutdown deal will sharpen divisions among Democrats

November 10, 2025

Following a 40-day government shutdown—the longest in American history—a bipartisan Senate vote has approved funding to reopen federal operations, though the deal still faces additional hurdles. The agreement emerged after some centrist and vulnerable Democrats joined Republicans to end the standoff, despite objections from the party's progressive wing who viewed this as capitulation without meaningful concessions from President Trump. Republicans maintained their position throughout the shutdown, ultimately securing reopening terms similar to what they would have accepted initially, with minimal compromises beyond rolling back workforce cuts and promising a non-binding vote on healthcare subsidies.

Who is affected

  • Furloughed federal employees who were sent home without pay
  • Federal employees deemed "essential" who worked without receiving paychecks
  • Low-income Americans who depend on food aid programs
  • Air travelers experiencing disruptions
  • National park visitors unable to access closed facilities
  • Democrats in the Senate, particularly centrists, soon-to-be retirees, and at-risk politicians
  • The Democratic party's activist and left-wing base
  • Senator Mark Warner of Virginia (who opposed the deal)
  • Angus King (independent aligned with Democrats)
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
  • President Donald Trump and Republican leadership
  • Americans dependent on government health-insurance subsidies

What action is being taken

  • The Senate is conducting a bipartisan vote to approve government funding
  • Furloughed federal employees are returning to work
  • Back pay is being distributed to federal workers
  • The White House is rolling back "grim reaper" workforce cuts ordered during the shutdown
  • Senate Republicans are promising a vote on government health-insurance subsidies

Why it matters

  • This shutdown represents a significant political moment that exposes and deepens divisions within the Democratic Party between its progressive base and centrist establishment. The outcome demonstrates Trump and Republicans' successful hardline negotiation strategy, as they secured government reopening without making substantial concessions despite the 40-day standoff. The resolution sets a concerning precedent for future governance, as Democrats faced no major political consequences for the month-long blockage while Trump's strategy paid off, potentially encouraging more frequent shutdown brinksmanship. Most critically, the temporary nature of the funding (only through January) combined with unchanged political dynamics means the underlying crisis remains unresolved, threatening government stability and services in the near future.

What's next

  • The deal must clear several more hurdles before final approval
  • Government operations will be funded only until the end of January
  • Congress may face another shutdown situation after January when funding expires again
  • Senate Republicans will hold a promised vote on government health-insurance subsidies (though passage is not guaranteed)
  • Low-income food aid is secured until October
  • Potential for another shutdown as midterm elections approach next year

Read full article from source: BBC