Monday evening, the Senate held a series of votes leading to final passage of the amended House-passed continuing resolution (CR) (H.R. 5371). Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), and John Fetterman (D-PA) voted alongside Republicans in favor of the CR. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) voted against it.
The funding package will now be sent to the House, where it could be voted on as soon as Wednesday. Earlier today, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) asked House members to begin returning to Washington, D.C. to avoid potential travel delays. Members now have 36 hours before a vote could take place on the floor.
Democrats agreed to vote to reopen the government in exchange for an amended CR that includes language reversing reductions-in-force (RIFs) that have occurred since October 1 and preventing future RIFs through January 31. The CR was also amended to provide backpay for furloughed workers and extend the funding deadline until January 31.
As for Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) promised a vote on an extension of the subsidies by mid-December. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and several Democrats expressed concern that a simple extension vote was not enough for a concession, while other Democrats said the party had succeeded in making healthcare a national issue. If the CR passes the Senate, it will go to the House for final passage. As of now, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) has not promised to hold a House vote on ACA subsidy extensions.
Additionally, the new CR has a three-bill appropriations minibus attached to it. These bills will provide full year funding for fiscal year 2026 for select agencies and programs described in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act; the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act; and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriation Act. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) both signed off on these bills along with House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), while Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) did not approve the bills.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
On November 6, a Rhode Island judge ordered the Trump Administration to fully fund SNAP by November 7. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson put a temporary hold on the order, allowing the Administration to hold off on full payments until an expected Court decision on Tuesday. Today, a federal Court of Appeals judge rejected the Trump Administration’s bid to avoid paying full SNAP payments, but the order will be held until the Supreme Court makes a decision.
Some states sent recipients payments following last week’s ruling, but the Administration has since said the states’ actions were unauthorized and payments must be rescinded. If this shutdown package passes, SNAP will receive full funding from the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act (S. 2256).
Air Travel
Air travel troubles have impacted thousands across the country, with more than 50 percent of flights delayed or cancelled on Sunday across 40 airports. Today, 7 percent of flights have been cancelled, with that number set to increase 1 percent each day until Thursday, when there is expected to be a 10 percent reduction of flights. The total number of flight reductions is subject to increase, pending the length of the shutdown and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s discretion. This morning, President Trump said air traffic controllers who do not come to work will be “docked” pay. President Trump also promised a $10,000 bonus for those controllers who do not take time off.
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