Senate votes to end shutdown as Democrats cross party lines, clearing path to reopen government
On November 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate voted 60-40 to invoke cloture on H.R. 5371, advancing a funding bill that ends a 40-day shutdown after eight Democrats joined Republicans to reopen the government and secure backpay for furloughed workers.
Key takeaways
- Senate advancement: The Senate voted 60-40 to invoke cloture on the Motion to Proceed on H.R. 5371, meeting the threshold to advance the funding measure — cloture on H.R. 5371.
- Crossing the aisle: Eight senators who caucus with Democrats joined Republicans to advance the bill — Dick Durbin, Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Tim Kaine, Jacky Rosen, and Angus King — several Democrats broke ranks.
- Short-term funding with conditions: The package would fund the government through January 30, restore pay and backpay for furloughed workers, and keep programs such as SNAP operating, while only promising (not guaranteeing) a December vote on ACA subsidies — funding through Jan. 30.
Main content
What happened
On Nov. 9, 2025, the Senate invoked cloture on the Motion to Proceed on H.R. 5371 by a 60-40 vote, a procedural step that allows debate and amendments and effectively moves the chamber closer to final approval of a short-term funding bill. The cloture motion was the decisive parliamentary hurdle to break the filibuster and begin formal consideration — cloture on H.R. 5371.
Who broke ranks and why
Eight senators who generally caucus with Democrats joined the Republican majority to advance the measure: Senators Dick Durbin, Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Tim Kaine, Jacky Rosen and Independent Angus King (who caucuses with Democrats). Their decision surprised party leaders and set aside an immediate guarantee on Affordable Care Act subsidies in favor of restoring government operations — several Democrats broke ranks.
Defenders of the vote argued that ending the shutdown quickly would halt immediate harm to families, federal workers and communities. For example, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said she acted “with working families in mind,” while Senator Maggie Hassan emphasized that restoring services mattered to constituents and warned of the risks if subsidies lapsed — comments from senators.
What the bill would do
The funding package advanced by the Senate would:
- Provide short-term government funding through January 30, giving Congress time to negotiate longer-term measures — fund through Jan. 30.
- Restore pay for furloughed federal employees and order backpay for those workers.
- Keep key programs operating, including SNAP food benefits, law enforcement pay, air traffic controller support and essential federal contractor work — program protections.
Health care caveat: The agreement includes only a pledge for a Senate vote in December on whether to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies; it does not bind Congress to extend the subsidies, leaving uncertainty for millions who rely on them — pledge on ACA vote.
The roll call and unusual GOP votes
The 60-40 cloture vote met the Senate threshold to advance the measure. Most Republicans voted to proceed; reporting showed Senator Rand Paul as the only Republican opposing the motion. That alignment — Republicans mostly in favor and a small group of Democrats crossing over — produced the decisive 60 votes — roll call details.
Backlash and political fallout
The decision by Democrats to cross the aisle drew criticism from progressives and some party members who argued that senators sacrificed leverage on a central Democratic priority — ACA subsidies — without a guarantee of extension. Critics warned the move undercut bargaining power ahead of the December vote — party criticism.
Supporters countered that the immediate human cost of the shutdown — missed paychecks, interrupted benefits and strained services — outweighed the political risks. Analysts noted that several senators who voted to advance the bill are moderates or not facing immediate reelection, factors that may have influenced the decision.
Procedural steps ahead
Advancing H.R. 5371 in the Senate is a major parliamentary milestone but not the final step. The House of Representatives must pass the same measure for funding to be fully restored, and individual senators retain procedural tools to slow final consideration. Lawmakers indicated the promised December vote on ACA subsidies will be the next major contest — next steps for H.R. 5371.
Background: the longest shutdown
This shutdown lasted 40 days, the longest in U.S. history, disrupting federal services nationwide. Air travel experienced delays as controllers and aviation services were strained; SNAP and other social programs faced interruptions; federal employees and many contractors missed paychecks and work was delayed — shut down impacts.
Implications for Los Angeles
Economic impact: LAX, one of the nation’s busiest airports, felt the direct effects of aviation service disruptions; restoring funding would ease flight disruptions and related travel impacts for Angelenos and tourists — LAX disruptions.
Food assistance: Funding SNAP through January 30 would prevent interruptions for hundreds of thousands of Californians and relieve strain on local food banks and community groups — SNAP and local relief.
Health coverage uncertainty: Many Californians receive assistance via Covered California; the Senate’s only-promise of a December vote on subsidies means premium costs and eligibility remain at risk — ACA subsidy uncertainty.
Local services: Federal agencies and contractors in Southern California — from National Park Service operations to federal court work and grant-funded projects — should see fewer delays if the House passes the measures and funding is restored — local federal services.
What Angelenos should do now
- Federal employees: Watch for official notices about returning to work and backpay timelines.
- Benefit recipients: Check with local agencies for updates on SNAP and other benefit distributions.
- Covered California enrollees: Monitor negotiations on ACA subsidies in December — potential changes could affect premiums and eligibility — monitor ACA negotiations.
Sources
https://report.az/en/other-countries/us-senate-breaks-democratic-filibuster-in-key-vote-toward-reopening-government
https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/09/democrat-senators-who-voted-end-shutdown/87190180007
https://abc7.com/post/government-shutdown-reaches-40th-day-senators-work-crucial-weekend-flights-disrupted-nationwide/18133666/
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/09/government-funding-deal-on-track-to-advance-sunday-night-00644110
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/10/28/congress/senate-votes-against-ending-shutdown-00625301
