The Fifteenth Vote Is A Charm U.S. Senate Clears Filibuster Hurdle, Clearing The Way For A Vote on A New Continuing Resolution Which Could Reopen the Federal Government
Overview
Despite opposition from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and a majority of rank and file Senate Democrats and Independent Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT), seven Senate Democrats and an Independent voted with the Republicans (60 to 40) on a new, revised version of the House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR) approved on September 19th clearing the way for a vote on the CR in the Senate today and House consideration of the revised proposal in the days ahead.
To be very clear, the government shutdown is not over at this time and must still receive a majority of votes in the U.S. Senate and garner support from a majority of members in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, the developments overnight are a very important step, as overcoming the procedural filibuster vote now requires only a majority of votes in each chamber for the CR to be passed and sent to the White House for President Trump’s consideration and likely approval.
Here is an update as of the early hours of this morning.
The New Revised CR Proposal
As summarized in last week’s emails, a bipartisan group of Senate Democrats, Republicans and an Independent had been working on the details of a revised CR which would include several requirements each side of the aisle felt were necessary to enable the legislation to move forward and end the government shutdown. Throughout the negotiations a number of proposals were on the table including votes on a bipartisan package of three bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Appropriations bills; a vote up or down on the Affordable Healthcare Act (AHA) or a vote to extend the AHA; recall individuals fired during the government shutdown as a result of the most recent Reduction in Force across all federal agencies; ways in which to immediately address full funding support for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); an extension of the sunsetting deadline ending the CR – in order to provide adequate time for Congress to complete the commitments included in the agreement and the consideration
and passage of the remaining nine annual appropriations bills – including Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies funding.
In the end the new proposed CR agreed upon:
* Revises the length of the CR from the original House passed deadline of November 21, 2025 to January 30, 2026.
* Commits to a swift vote on passage of a “minibus” of the three bipartisan FY26 Appropriations bills – while providing time for the other nine appropriations bills work their way through the legislative process and completion on or before the Jan. 30, 2026 deadline.
* Reverses any reductions in force which were initiated during the shutdown – and includes language seeking to prevent any such layoffs throughout the remainder of FY26.
* A guaranteed vote in mid-December to a Democratic proposal to extend the AHA with modifications on the tax credit provisions – and potentially other votes on AHA reforms.
* Provide full funding for SNAP through the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2026).
Senate Democrats and an Independent Who Voted To End the Filibuster
The group of eight Senate Democrats who broke ranks with their Democratic colleagues includes Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Richard “Dick” Durbin (IL), John Fetterman (PA), Maggie Hassan (MI), Tim Kaine (VA), Angus King (I-ME). Jackie Rosen (NV) and Jeanne Shaheen (NH).
*Note – Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, was the sole Republican to vote No.
What’s Next
The U.S. Senate is set to reconvene today at 11 AM ET and will likely attempt to move forward with consideration of the CR as soon as possible, since both the Senate and the House were scheduled to be in Recess this week on the original 2025 Congressional Calendar. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD) said that “it remains to be seen” exactly when the vote will take place, but that he intends to mover the legislation forward as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, over the U.S. House of Representatives, House Majority Leader Mike Johnson has indicated that he anticipates calling the House back into session some time this week for a vote on the revised CR once it is approved by the Senate.
As of this morning, it is too early to tell how the rank and file of the GOP majority will respond to the new Senate CR agreement, but it is already clear that House Democratic leaders do not support the latest CR. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has stated his ardent opposition to the CR and will call upon his caucus to oppose it. It will be critical today to see how House Majority Leader Johnson’s caucus reacts to the actions taking place overnight, and whether the new CR will be supported by the Republicans in the House.
CSPEN will provide updates as the process continues to unfold, but wanted you to have this ASAP!
