Senate moves shutdown-ending deal that would ensure backpay and unwind some federal layoffs

"The Senate on Sunday took a first step toward ending the longest-ever government shutdown, clearing a procedural hurdle to approve a package that would keep agencies funded through at least January and walk back thousands of federal employee layoffs. The agreement came together on the shutdown's 40th day and would approve full-year appropriations for the Veterans Affairs Department, Agriculture Department and the legislative branch. All other agencies would operate at their fiscal 2025 levels under a continuing resolution that would expire after Jan. 30."

"Most Democrats still voted against the deal as it will not take any affirmative step to abate health care premium increases for millions of Americans next year, the key demand that led to the shutdown in the first place. Still, a sufficient number of Senate Democrats joined nearly all Republicans to approve the bill after stating the funding lapse was hurting too many people for it to continue."

"The court injunction applies to the duration of the shutdown and the Trump administration mostly had not indicated whether it would seek to move forward with the RIFs after the government reopens. In the interim, the employees remain on the rolls in a paid leave status. Some agencies, such as the Interior Department, have suggested the shutdown had no bearing on their layoffs plans."

The Senate cleared a procedural vote toward ending the 40-day government shutdown by advancing a funding package that would keep agencies operating through at least January and reverse thousands of federal employee layoffs. The agreement provides full-year appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Agriculture and the legislative branch while placing all other agencies on a continuing resolution at fiscal 2025 levels through Jan. 30. Many Democrats opposed the measure because it does not address expected health care premium increases, but enough Democrats joined Republicans to advance the bill. The package would unwind over 4,000 planned layoffs and ban RIFs through January.

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