US government shutdown: Is the shutdown over? Which Democrats voted with Republicans today? All FAQs answered

The US Senate voted on Sunday night to advance a revised spending bill, which has been a bone of contention between the Democrats and Republicans, and which has led to the longest government shutdown in US history.

The bill received exactly the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate, passing compromise legislation to fund the government and hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire January 1.

As many as 14 previous Senate votes fell short of the 60 votes needed to move the legislation forward.

Sunday's test vote marked a significant breakthrough in the Senate, as eight Democrats broke with other members of the Senate Democratic leadership to advance the package. There was only one Republican who voted against the deal.

Who were these Democrats who voted with Republicans today? Is the government shutdown over now? What happens next? Here's all the latest you need to know about the US government shutdown:

Is the government shutdown over now?

No. It's a long way before the US government shutdown ends. According to US media, the final passage of the legislation could take several days if Democrats object and prolong the process.

According to CNN, any one senator can delay consideration of the package for several days. Additionally, the House will have to return and adopt the deal struck in the Senate before it is sent to President Donald Trump’s desk.

The test vote on Sunday marked the start of what could be a lengthy series of procedural votes in the Senate

How long has the government been shut down?

It has been 40 days since the US government shut down on October 1. It's the longest in the US history.

Before this, the longest US government shutdown in history lasted 35 days in 2018, under US President Donald Trump's first term. It ended in January 2019.

Why did the government shut down in 2025?

A government shutdown occurs when Congress is unable to pass the funding bills—known as appropriations—that keep federal agencies running into the next fiscal year, which begins on October 1.

Republicans supported a short-term measure to fund the government generally at current levels through November 21, but Democrats blocked it, insisting the measure address their concerns on health care.

Democrats want to reverse the Medicaid cuts in Donald Trump's mega-bill passed this summer, and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for millions of people who purchase through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.

What happens next?

After Sunday's voting, the US Senate will continue considering legislation to reopen the government after the test vote on Sunday advanced the spending bill.

It will now be amended to include the broader funding package before heading back to the House for final passage.

Once cleared by both chambers, the bill would go to President Trump's desk to end a shutdown that has paralysed federal operations for more than a month.

The entire process could take several more days.

House members have already been notified that votes related to government funding are expected in the lower chamber this week, pending final passage of the funding measure in the Senate.

How many US senators are there?

The US Senate consists of 100 members, two from each of the 50 states. The measure needed 60 votes to advance. The current composition of the US Senate is as follows:

Republicans: 53 seats (Majority)

Democrats: 45 seats (Minority)

Independents: 2 seats (both of whom caucus with the Democrats)

Which Democrats joined Republicans on the vote?

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against moving ahead with the package, along with all but eight of his Democratic colleagues. Eight Democrats who voted in favour of the deal were:

1. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois

2. Sen. Angus King of Maine (independent who caucuses with Democrats)

3. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada

4. Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada

5. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania

6. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia

7. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire

8. Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire

Only one Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted 'no'. Three conservative senators — Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin — held back their votes until voting was nearly over as they engaged in deep conversations on the floor with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other senior Republicans.

What's the deal that Democrats, Republicans agree to?

The Senate advanced the funding package after eight Democrats and Republicans agreed to a deal that included:

1. Reversing the mass firings of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown began on October 1 and ensuring that federal workers receive back pay.

It would also protect against future reductions in force through January and guarantee federal workers would be paid once the shutdown is over.

2. Bipartisan bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of the government — food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things.

3. All other funding would be extended until the end of January -- in exchange for a mid-December vote on extending the health care tax credits.

The resolution will now be amended to include three longer-term appropriations bills, as well as an extension of the short-term stopgap measure passed by the House in September.

The original House bill would have extended government funding until November 21. It would now extend the rest of the government funding until late January in exchange for a mid-December vote on extending the health care tax credits.

Why are these 8 Democrats being criticised?

The eight Democratic defectors who joined Republicans to try to reopen the government faced criticism from within their party for supporting a deal that does not guarantee the extension of expiring health care subsidies.

For weeks, Democrats have refused to reopen the government unless legislation also included the extension of subsides in the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire at the end of the year and send premiums skyrocketing for millions of Americans.

But the deal reached with Republicans only ensures a vote later on extending the subsidies.