Senate Approves Deal to End 40-Day Shutdown; Democratic Rift Exposed as Millions Face Delays

Airports backed up, SNAP benefits delayed for 42 million Americans, and federal projects stalled across East Texas as Congress races to reopen the government.

After 40 days of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the Senate voted 60–40 late Sunday night to advance a bipartisan agreement that would reopen the federal government through January 30.

The deal — hammered out by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Independent Senator Angus King (ME) — moves the shutdown one step closer to ending, though the bill must still clear the House and be signed by President Donald Trump.

Nationwide Disruption Hits Ordinary Americans First

This hasn’t been a political chess match — it’s been a gut punch to families.

• 750,000 federal workers furloughed

• 2 million forced to work without pay

• 2,300 flights canceled in one day due to staffing shortages among unpaid air-traffic controllers

• 42 million Americans faced delays in receiving SNAP food benefits

Major airports — including those in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Chicago — operated at reduced capacity Sunday, triggering cascading delays nationwide.

“Continuing this shutdown was untenable,” Sen. Angus King said after a closed-door caucus meeting. “The human toll is too great.”

LOCAL IMPACT: EAST TEXAS FEELS THE SQUEEZE

While Washington argues, the fallout hits home.

Federal funding freezes disrupted:

• Workforce job-training programs tied to Jasper economic development.

• Infrastructure and public-safety grants counties were counting on.

• SNAP distribution timelines for thousands of local families in Jasper, Newton, and Tyler counties.

  
  

Democrats Split Over the Deal

The most surprising twist? The biggest fight wasn’t across the aisle — it was inside the Democratic Party.

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the agreement, arguing it lacked protections for Affordable Care Act subsidies.

• Sen. Bernie Sanders blasted the deal as a “horrific mistake.”

But eight Democrats — including Shaheen, Hassan, and Sen. Dick Durbin (IL) — broke ranks.

Their reasoning: this shutdown was hurting people more than politics could help.

What’s in the Deal

The agreement would:

• Fund agriculture, veterans affairs, and legislative operations through Jan. 30

• Reverse furloughs and layoffs

• Authorize back pay for affected employees

  
  

In plain terms: the government turns back on, at least temporarily.

What’s Next

President Trump, speaking briefly Sunday night, acknowledged progress:

“It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending.”

But nothing moves until:

1. The House passes the measure, and

2. Trump signs it.

   
   

Expect at least several days of delay before full operations resume.