‘Enough.’ Senate Votes 60–40 to Reopen Government; Rhode Island Senators Opposed

After 40 days of delays, furloughs, and rising frustration, the Senate voted late Sunday to reopen the government. Air travel disruptions, halted SNAP benefits, federal employees pay and worries over health-care premiums pushed both parties to say “enough,” but just barely, including Rhode Island’s senators who stood apart.

After a marathon weekend session, the U.S. Senate voted late Sunday night, 60 to 40, to advance a stopgap funding measure aimed at reopening the federal government after a record 40-day shutdown that disrupted air travel, delayed food assistance, no pay for federal employees, and heightened anxiety for millions of Americans.

The bill — a Republican-led continuing resolution (CR) — funds federal operations into January 2026, restores pay for furloughed employees, and commits to a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies. It does not guarantee those subsidies immediately, a sticking point for Democratic votes.

The vote came after days of gridlock and multiple failed procedural efforts. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) was reportedly flown back to Washington late Sunday to cast the decisive vote that gave the measure the 60 votes needed.

Rhode Island’s Senators Vote No

Both Sen. Jack Reed, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse Rhode Island’s two, Democratic, senators, voted against the CR, citing health-care affordability as the central reason.

Sen. Whitehouse released a strongly worded statement moments after the vote:

“The next phase of Democrats’ health-care affordability fight is starting. The American people are with us, and Republicans will pay a heavy political price if they do not follow through on their commitment to work in a bipartisan way to lower skyrocketing premiums. I personally don’t believe them, but would be thrilled to be wrong.

We have also unlocked some progress on the path to a year-long government funding deal. Bipartisan appropriations are a key restraint on Trump.

The shutdown put this president’s mad cruelty on display for the world to see. President Trump and his goons were happy to inflict maximal pain on people and our economy, while throwing extravagant parties and wasting enormous sums to turn the White House into a gaudy palace. Everyone saw that. From his gilded golf club, President Trump kept food off the tables of millions of children and families. The American people will not forget.”

Sen. Reed issued a shorter statement:

“I am a no on the CR agreement. I respect my colleagues on both sides, but the American people don’t deserve a preventable increase in health-care costs.”

Regional Voting: New England Split

Votes among New England senators reflected the broader national divide:

• Yes: Shaheen (D-NH), Hassan (D-NH), King (I-ME), Collins (R-ME)

• No: Reed (D-RI), Whitehouse (D-RI), Warren (D-MA), Markey (D-MA), Blumenthal (D-CT), Murphy (D-CT), Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT)

The region’s three “yes” votes — two from New Hampshire and one from Maine — helped the measure reach the 60-vote threshold required to advance.

Impact on Travelers, Families & Health Costs

The shutdown’s ripple effects will be visible across Rhode Island and the country:

• Air Travel: Thousands of flights were delayed or canceled as unpaid air-traffic controllers and TSA agents called out. The reopening vote triggers back pay and a return to normal staffing levels, though the FAA warns it will take several days to restore full operations.

• SNAP Food Assistance: The shutdown froze large portions of federal nutrition aid. With the CR’s passage, SNAP benefits are expected to resume, including Rhode Island’s November issuance, though state agencies warn of brief delays as systems restart. (NOTE:  States that paid 100% benefits for November are being asked to “claw back” those benefits. Local states included Rhode Island as well as Massachusetts and Connecticut. Massachusetts has already issued a statement to people to spend the SNAP balances freely, saying they will see the administration in court.)

• Health-Care Premiums: The most contentious issue remains unresolved. Democrats wanted a guaranteed extension of ACA premium subsidies that help millions afford insurance. Instead, the bill promises a future vote by mid-December, leaving uncertainty about 2026 premium rates.

What’s Next

The Senate’s passage moves the bill to the House, which must approve it before government operations can fully resume. If enacted, the legislation would:

• Reopen federal agencies through January 31, 2026

• Provide back pay to all furloughed federal workers and contractors

• Resume essential programs such as SNAP, TANF, and housing vouchers

• Require a December vote on ACA premium tax credits

Federal employees are expected back to work within 24 hours of final passage, while airports and benefit programs gradually return to normal operation.

Another Shutdown Possible?

While the bill reopens the government for now, it merely extends current funding levels — setting up another potential shutdown as early as February if Congress fails to finalize a long-term spending deal or pass the promised health-care vote.

Both parties have signaled an unwillingness to repeat the weeks-long impasse, but the next round of negotiations will again test whether Washington can keep the government open — and whether the promised bipartisan health-care vote materializes.

As Senator Whitehouse put it:

“The next phase of Democrats’ health-care affordability fight is starting.”