Eight members of the Senate Democratic caucus joined Republicans to pass a 60–40 Senate bill aimed at ending the weeks-long government shutdown, even as President Donald Trump renewed calls for the GOP to scrap the filibuster. The measure now moves to the House.
The Senate voted 60–40 to approve a funding package that would reopen the government through January 30, the longest shutdown in U.S. history to date. Republicans, who hold 53 seats, needed support from across the aisle after Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) opposed the bill. The legislation still requires House passage and the president’s signature. (reuters.com)
Seven Democrats and one independent who caucuses with them provided the decisive votes: Sens. Dick Durbin (Ill.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), John Fetterman (Pa.), and Independent Sen. Angus King (Maine). (washingtonpost.com)
Explaining his vote, King said on MSNBC that “standing up to Donald Trump didn’t work. It actually gave him more power.” Shaheen told CNN that “staying in shutdown mode was not getting us anywhere,” adding, “Hopefully the Republicans may hear us.” (washingtonpost.com)
The Senate filibuster—an internal rule, not a constitutional requirement—generally requires 60 votes to invoke cloture and end debate on most legislation. Over time, the practice has evolved into a largely procedural hurdle due to two-track scheduling, allowing other business to continue while a bill is blocked. (congress.gov)
Trump, who has long criticized the rule, urged Republicans last week to eliminate the filibuster to resolve the standoff. GOP leaders declined, arguing the supermajority threshold protects minority rights and the Senate’s institutional balance. (reuters.com)
Both parties have narrowed the filibuster’s reach in recent years: Democrats in 2013 eliminated it for most executive and lower-court nominations; Republicans in 2017 ended it for Supreme Court picks to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch. The legislative filibuster remains intact. (washingtonpost.com)
Critics across the political spectrum say the current 60-vote rule fuels gridlock by making bipartisan supermajorities a de facto requirement for major bills; defenders counter that it forces consensus. (brennancenter.org)
The Senate package funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September 30 and would halt recent federal layoffs tied to downsizing until January 30, while ensuring back pay for federal workers. It does not extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies set to expire at year’s end, though Republican leaders pledged a December vote on the issue. The House is expected to consider the measure next. (reuters.com)
With 53 seats, Republicans can pass measures that require only a simple majority, but most legislation still needs 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Fetterman has frequently sided with Republicans during the shutdown, though the GOP’s numerical majority does not depend on his vote. (senate.gov)
