The longest government shutdown in U.S. history, stretching into its 40th day, appeared to be nearing an end on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Senate Republican leader John Thune indicated that a deal was “coming together” and scheduled a crucial test vote for Sunday on a narrow spending package designed to resume federal funding.
“We’ll see kind of where the votes are,” Thune reportedly said, acknowledging the political stalemate that has repeatedly stalled previous attempts: “This kind of stuff can drag on indefinitely if you allow it to.”
The Path to Reopening Government
The procedural vote planned by Thune requires the support of at least several Democrats to clear the 60-vote threshold, a measure that has failed 14 previous times during the shutdown. Senate Democrats were expected to convene for a caucus meeting at 5 PM on Sunday to discuss the emerging compromise.
Reports indicate that the bipartisan deal, if passed by the Senate, would combine a short-term funding measure to reopen the government through late January with a package of full-year appropriations bills. This legislation would then need to pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and be signed by President Donald Trump.
Key Issues: Federal Worker Pay and SNAP Benefits
The protracted shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed and facing missed paychecks. Concerns over whether these workers will receive compensation once the government reopens remain a major point of anxiety.
Will Furloughed Workers Get Back Pay?
- Past Practice vs. Current Threat: Furloughed employees have typically received back pay in previous shutdowns. However, the current situation is complicated by the Trump administration’s stance.
- Trump’s Position: President Donald Trump had signaled that his administration might not uphold the practice of granting back pay, declaring some furloughed employees “don’t deserve” the compensation.
- The Senate Deal’s Provision: Current reports on the emerging Senate deal suggest the bill will contain provisions to ensure federal workers receive back pay, as required by the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019. The deal is also reported to reverse recent firings of federal employees and prevent similar actions in the future.
Will SNAP Benefits Be Restored?
- Program Impact: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps over 42 million lower-income Americans, is paid for by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).
- Shutdown Status: The shutdown led to uncertainty, with initial guidance suggesting that if the shutdown continued past October 31, full November SNAP benefits could be delayed or stopped.
- Court Rulings and Partial Payment: Following court rulings in late October/early November, the USDA issued guidance allowing states to send out at least partial November SNAP benefits.
- Deal’s Provision: Reports on the emerging Senate deal indicate the legislation would restore full funding for the SNAP program through the fiscal year 2026, assuring the necessary benefits are secured. The agreement is also expected to reverse the recent USDA directive that had required states to “immediately undo” steps taken to send out full food aid benefits following a temporary Supreme Court order.
If the Senate deal successfully passes and is enacted into law, federal agencies would resume full operations immediately.