Senate Passes Continuing Resolution, Ending 35-Day Government Shutdown

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  Politics and Government on Thu, Nov 20th, 2025 by The Indianapolis Star
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Senate Passes Continuing Resolution, Ending the 35‑Day Government Shutdown

After 35 days of halted federal operations, the United States Senate voted to adopt a new continuing resolution (CR) that temporarily restores funding for all federal agencies. The measure, approved on Thursday by a margin of 71‑28, lifts the government shutdown that began on Tuesday, November 7, and guarantees that federal employees will continue to receive pay and that essential services will stay open. The vote is a bipartisan effort that reflects the urgency of the crisis and the willingness of both parties to compromise, albeit on different terms, to keep the federal machinery running.

The Vote and Its Numbers

The Senate’s roll‑call was straightforward. 71 senators voted “Yes,” while 28 voted “No.” The CR, which the Senate amended from its initial draft, keeps funding levels largely at the same level as the previous fiscal year, but adds a $5.8‑billion supplemental budget for the National Guard and a $100‑million increase for the Department of Agriculture’s food‑stamp program. The measure will remain in effect until January 4, 2025—just one day past the fiscal‑year deadline—allowing Congress to resume work on a full-year budget.

The majority of the “Yes” votes came from Republicans, but the measure also received strong support from moderate Democrats. The two most recent Republican votes that carried the bill were by Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana and Sen. Todd Young of Indiana. Both senators voted “Yes,” affirming their willingness to break with hardline conservatives who insisted on a complete stop to funding until the federal government’s budget was fully resolved.

Sen. Jim Banks remarked that while he had opposed earlier funding gaps, he was “ready to move past this crisis and get the government running again.” Banks, who has long advocated for fiscal responsibility, said he was willing to support the CR in the name of maintaining essential services and protecting federal workers’ livelihoods. Sen. Todd Young echoed similar sentiment, saying he was “uncomfortable with the impact this shutdown has had on Americans, especially those who rely on federal programs.” Both senators’ “Yes” votes were crucial for bridging the party divide, as the Senate needed a solid majority to survive the 28‑vote margin that often defines Republican‑controlled chambers.

How the CR Works

A continuing resolution is essentially a temporary funding package that keeps the federal government functioning at the levels it had before the budget impasse. The Senate’s resolution keeps the existing funding levels for most agencies, with a few adjustments to the budget and specific appropriations. The resolution also includes a temporary increase for the Department of Defense’s counter‑terrorism program and a modest raise for the Department of Transportation’s infrastructure program.

This kind of resolution is often used when Congress cannot agree on a full budget for the upcoming fiscal year. It gives the administration a stopgap period to negotiate further without risking the shutdown of essential services, such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Impact of the Shutdown

During the shutdown, federal employees faced a delay in pay, many of whom were working without any compensation for weeks. Essential services—like border security, air‑traffic control, and food‑stamp distribution—continued to operate, but the agencies struggled with budget constraints, furloughs, and reduced staff. The Treasury Department reported that the shutdown had cost the U.S. economy an estimated $10‑$12 billion, while the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the shutdown could add a further $4.5 billion to the federal deficit.

The Senate’s passage of the CR lifts those restrictions, but the long‑term fiscal picture remains uncertain. Critics argue that the resolution fails to address the core issue of how the federal budget is determined and whether the government is spending within its means. Meanwhile, supporters emphasize the importance of keeping the country functioning and protecting the livelihoods of federal workers.

The Next Steps

The Senate’s approval of the CR means that the immediate shutdown is over, but the House of Representatives still needs to pass its own resolution—or a full budget bill—if it wants to avoid another stalemate. Democrats, who hold the majority in the House, have pushed for a budget that addresses the deficits and includes reforms to the way appropriations are allocated. Republicans have proposed a “full‑year” budget that is more restrictive and includes a significant cut to discretionary spending.

Sen. Banks and Sen. Young’s “Yes” votes reflect a pragmatic approach: they recognized that the shutdown was harming ordinary Americans and that a temporary fix was preferable to a prolonged crisis. However, they have indicated that they will continue to push for a long‑term budget that reflects the principles of responsible spending.

Reactions Across the Political Spectrum

• Republican leadership praised the Senate vote, calling it a “necessary step to keep the government functioning.” They also stressed that the resolution is a stopgap that will lead to more meaningful negotiations later in the year.
• Democratic leaders welcomed the end of the shutdown but warned that the temporary measure does little to address the underlying deficits. They also urged the Senate and House to move quickly toward a comprehensive fiscal plan that balances budgets and protects essential services.
• Federal employees’ unions and advocacy groups celebrated the vote as a victory for public servants who had faced uncertainty and hardship. They also called for a full fiscal plan that would prevent future shutdowns.

A Look Ahead

While the Senate’s resolution may have ended the immediate crisis, the larger debate about the federal budget remains open. Both parties must now negotiate a long‑term fiscal plan that addresses the growing debt, maintains essential services, and restores the confidence of the American people. The passage of this CR sets the stage for that conversation, but it also underscores the urgency of finding a lasting solution.

For now, Americans can breathe a sigh of relief. Federal agencies are back on track, federal employees are receiving pay, and essential services are continuing without interruption. The Senate’s decision, marked by the “Yes” votes of Senators Jim Banks and Todd Young, represents a moment of bipartisan cooperation that could be a stepping stone toward a more stable fiscal future.