United States: Towards the End of the Longest Shutdown in Modern History

WASHINGTON.— With the federal government paralyzed for over a month, negotiations finally seem to be leading to an agreement to gradually reopen the administration. A decisive vote is expected in the Senate, paving the way for a delicate and partial exit from the crisis. The budgetary deadlock that has paralyzed the American federal government for over five weeks could be coming to an end. According to several congressional sources, a bipartisan agreement is being finalized in the Senate, where a vote is expected in the coming days. This would be the first significant breakthrough since the start of the shutdown, now considered the longest in United States history. An agreement to reopen federal agencies at least temporarily The compromise under discussion would combine the adoption of three annual funding bills, allowing some federal agencies to resume operations, and a provisional funding text (known as a stop-gap measure) extending the operation of other services until January 2026. This hybrid solution would aim to stop the bleeding, as the shutdown has already cost the American economy several billion dollars and jeopardized essential social programs. “The dynamic has changed,” said Senate Republican leader John Thune, suggesting that common ground had finally emerged after weeks of political deadlock. The sticking point: public health However, the agreement remains fragile. It does not currently provide for the extension of federal subsidies aimed at reducing the cost of medical insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democratic lawmakers consider this point non-negotiable, while several Republicans see it as an unjustified budgetary expansion. This divergence could further slow the progress of the compromise, especially since the House of Representatives, led by Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, will also have to approve it. And the House will not resume its sessions until after its current recess. Heavy social and economic consequences
Hundreds of thousands of civil servants are either on forced leave or obliged to work without pay.
Essential public services, including air traffic controllers, are operating under strain, causing delays and logistical risks.
Food assistance programs, including SNAP, are in a precarious budgetary situation.
National parks, federal courts, and consular services are operating at a reduced pace. For many low-income families, the situation is becoming critical. In several states, food banks are reporting an increase in requests for emergency aid. Relief, but far from a lasting resolution If the agreement is adopted, the government's reopening would only be partial and temporary for certain sectors. The political confrontation over the funding of national priorities, particularly public health, could resurface as early as the beginning of 2026. In other words, the institutional crisis may be close to being suspended, but it is not resolved. The United States appears to be heading towards a controlled exit from the shutdown, thanks to a compromise reached in the Senate. But the political battle over the federal budget, healthcare, and the direction of public spending is expected to continue in the coming weeks. Source: RFI Jean Mapou