What's happened
The US Congress has approved a bipartisan funding package that keeps the government open until January 30, 2026. The bill excludes extensions for Affordable Care Act subsidies, which will be addressed in December. The measure passed with some bipartisan support, but faces uncertainty over healthcare funding.
What's behind the headline?
The bill's passage highlights ongoing partisan divides over healthcare funding. While it averts immediate shutdown risks, the exclusion of ACA subsidies underscores the persistent political battle over healthcare costs. The bipartisan support, including some Democrats voting with Republicans, indicates a pragmatic approach to government funding but leaves key issues unresolved. The upcoming December vote on healthcare subsidies will be critical, as failure to extend them could increase costs for millions. The leadership's handling of the negotiations reveals a fragile consensus, with progressive Democrats criticizing the deal and leadership for caving to Republican demands. This episode foreshadows continued political contention over healthcare policy, with the potential for further shutdown threats if subsidies are not addressed.
What the papers say
The Washington Post reports that the bill was passed with bipartisan support, but excludes ACA subsidies, which are set for a separate vote in December. The article notes that the bill now heads to President Trump for signing, and highlights the political tensions within the Democratic Party, especially among progressives who oppose the deal. Al Jazeera emphasizes that the bill does not resolve the extension of healthcare subsidies, which benefits 24 million Americans, and criticizes Senate Leader Schumer for allowing the deal to pass. Both sources underline the ongoing debate over healthcare funding and the political implications of the bipartisan agreement, with the Washington Post focusing on legislative details and the strategic support, while Al Jazeera provides a critical perspective on Democratic leadership and internal party conflicts.
How we got here
The US government has faced a record-breaking shutdown since September 30, due to disagreements over funding and healthcare subsidies. The current bill consolidates three funding measures into one package, with a stopgap to prevent further shutdowns. The debate over ACA subsidies remains unresolved, with a separate vote planned for December.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, which, along with the United States House of Representatives—the lower chamber—constitutes the legislature of the United States.