Senate Strikes Deal To End Shutdown As Several Democrats Defy Party Leaders
Plus: Syrian President Meets with President Trump & Italian Pasta May Disappear From U.S. Grocery Shelves
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🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING
Senate Moves To Pass Bill Ending Government Shutdown – But When Will It Actually End?
The Senate took a major step toward ending the longest-ever government shutdown in U.S. history Sunday night, as eight centrist Democrats crossed party lines and joined Republicans to advance a federal funding bill in a 60-40 vote. Democratic leaders are are not happy with the deal, but several moderates felt the shutdown was creating too much pain for tens of millions of Americans.
It was just the first of several procedural votes needed to reopen the federal government — a process that will likely take several more days and could still be derailed by a single lawmaker defecting.
Meanwhile, thousands of flights across the U.S. have been delayed or cancelled each day since the FAA announced a reduction in flights at 40 airports last week — largely in response to air traffic controller shortages, as federal workers haven’t been paid in a month and some are working other jobs to make ends meet.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Senate voted on a resolution to fund the federal government through Jan. 30. It also includes three appropriations bills that would fund the Department of Agriculture – with full SNAP benefits through next September – and other departments through next fall. That prevents another SNAP/Food Stamp fiasco if the government shuts down again before then. The compromise bill also reverses thousands of firings of federal workers last month and guarantees back pay for all federal workers, who have been without pay since the start of the shutdown on October 1. Senate Republicans have also promised to hold a vote to extend Obamacare insurance subsidies next month—but didn’t guarantee an actual deal many Democrats were seeking.
The Senate is now meeting to combine key parts of the deal into a single legislative package for a final vote. Because the process requires unanimous consent, any one senator could slow things down — though leaders remain confident a bill will ultimately pass.
Once the Senate passes the bill, the House will need to do the same. During a press conference on Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson told representatives to begin returning to Washington immediately if the Senate moves to fast-track their vote today. Many members have been in their home districts, as the House has been out of session since Sept. 19.
Ultimately, President Trump has to sign the deal for the government to reopen. He’s been facing mounting pressure to do so as Americans increasingly disapprove of the president’s handling of the shutdown, more-so than either Democrats or Republicans in Congress.
HOW DID THE SENATE BILL PASS?
Eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus voted with Republicans to reopen the federal government, despite the bill not promising a key aspect of what Democrats have been fighting for: a guaranteed extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.
Without these subsidies, health care insurance premiums will more than double in 2026 for those eligible and enrolled via the ACA marketplace.
In return for voting in favor of the funding measure, Democrats only secured a promise from Senate Republicans to hold a vote in December on extending healthcare subsidies. Republicans had insisted they would not negotiate healthcare policy until the government is reopened, and while they have agreed to bring the subsidy issue to a vote, they have not committed to approving an extension.
DEMOCRATS DIVIDED
However, House Republicans haven’t committed to even hold a vote. The lack of guarantees are frustrating to Democrats who felt they had momentum after 40 days. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) voted against the package on Sunday, along with most Democratic senators. They stood firm that a vote should’ve only been reached once Republicans had guaranteed extending the health care subsidies.
“Pathetic,” wrote CA Gov. Gavin Newsom on X. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said, “There’s no way to defend this.”
Meanwhile, Angus King (I-ME), one of the eight who joined Sunday’s vote, defended his decision to CNN Monday morning: “The question I was wrestling with is if the tactic isn’t working, and there were no prospects that it was going to work, then let’s move on; not make a lot of other people suffer, in order to get a goal that wasn’t attainable,” King said.
Notably, King also added he thinks a health care bill only has a 25-50% chance of passing — though he says that’s more than it had before.
AIRLINES STRUGGLING WITH MASS DELAYS
Delays and cancellations at airports have only gotten worse as the shutdown rounds its 41st day. As of publication, more than 7,000 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were delayed Monday and more than 2,000 cancelled. On Sunday, more than 10,000 were delayed and 3,000 cancelled.
Around 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay for a month during the shutdown. Many have been calling out of work as they face increasing financial pressure to pick up second jobs or step in on childcare.
Delays and cancellations are expected to continue – and possibly increase – throughout the week. If the shutdown continues, the Federal Aviation Administration will order airlines to reduce flights at major hubs by up to 10% on Friday. (That’s up from 4% last Friday.)
Delta Airlines recorded the highest number of flight cancellations, while Southwest saw the most delays.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that even if the government shutdown ends this week, it would not immediately stop delays. It will take time before air traffic controllers make it back to work, he said — meaning the delays could affect Thanksgiving travel.
Meanwhile, Trump sent a stern warning to air traffic controllers:
🚨 ONE THING WE’RE WATCHING
Trump Meets With Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa In Historic Visit
President Trump met on Monday with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking the first time a Syrian leader has ever visited the White House. The administration announced it would be suspending most sanctions and trade restrictions on Syria – aside from certain transactions involving Russia and Iran – “to give the country a chance at peace and prosperity.”
A stunning reversal: It comes days after sanctions were lifted on Syria’s leader al-Sharaa himself – a former leader of the Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate who had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head until last year.
The meeting between al-Sharaa and Trump focused on counter-terrorism cooperation in Syria, especially as the Islamic State seeks to exploit the country’s post-civil war vacuum.
WHO IS AL-SHARAA?
The new Syrian President was the leader of an Islamist terrorist group formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda. The group overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending a brutal 50-year dictatorship and a 14-year civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people.
Al-Sharaa joined al-Qaeda around two decades ago and was arrested in Iraq in 2005, where he spent six years in an American military prison. He eventually broke from the group in 2016. The U.S. officially designated him a terrorist in 2013.
Al-Sharaa was only removed from a list of globally designated terrorists on Thursday, according to the State Department, which said they championed the initiative “in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of Bashar al-Assad.”
Since assuming power in Syria, he has pledged no attacks against Western targets, and sought engagement with international partners.
THE HISTORIC MEETING
Monday marked the third meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa, focused on counterterrorism efforts in Syria and around the world.
The U.S. recently lifted sanctions on Syria, as the country begins to rebuild in the aftermath of its devastating civil war. It is estimated to cost $200+ billion, according to the World Bank.
The U.S. has a vested interest in supporting the country’s stability and security – for its own safety, and also to allow U.S. troops still stationed in Syria to return home. While Trump has waived sanctions, Congress would need to approve a permanent repeal.
Big picture: This is part of Trump’s broader effort to push for peace in the Middle East. He likely also wants to ensure Syria does not become a proxy for Iran or Russia as al-Sharaa establishes his rule. Trump has said he would like to see Syria join the Abraham Accords and establish a full relationship with Israel.
⏳ THE SPEED READ
🚨NATION
Supreme Court declines to revisit gay marriage decision (NPR)
Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani and others involved in bid to overturn 2020 election (NBC NEWS)
Supreme Court leans against Rastafarian man seeking to sue prison officials for cutting his dreadlocks (CNN)
U.S. military blows up 2 more alleged drug boats in Pacific, killing 6 (CBS NEWS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Car blast near New Delhi’s historic Red Fort kills at least 8 people, India’s police say (AP)
Eight dead and more than a million displaced after super typhoon Fung-wong slams the Philippines (THE GUARDIAN)
Canada loses measles elimination status amid year-long outbreak (ABC)
Former French President Sarkozy will be released from prison under judicial supervision (ABC NEWS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Preliminary tests find germ that causes botulism in ByHeart baby formula (ABC
Over 1,700 flights canceled in US on Monday as President Trump tells air traffic controllers: ‘Get back to work, NOW’ (ABC)
Visa, Mastercard reach new swipe fee settlement with merchants (CNBC)
The FDA will lift warnings on hormone therapy for menopause (NPR)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Trump booed as he becomes the first sitting US president at a regular-season NFL game since Carter (AP)
Identity of ‘fedora man,’ well-dressed French teenager in viral Louvre heist photo, revealed (GUARDIAN)
Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Christy’ boxer biopic has one of the all-time worst box office debuts (USA TODAY)
Wicked Witch’s hat From 1939’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ up for auction (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
ICYMI FROM THE 📲
In case you missed it… Ciao for now 😔. Italy’s largest pasta exporters are preparing to pull out of U.S. grocery stores as soon as January as a consequence of President Trump’s tariffs.
The U.S. Commerce Department has announced a 92% antidumping duty on pasta made in Italy by major companies, effective January. That’s on top on the 15% tariff on imports from the European Union. 🍝
La Molisana, one of the affected pasta makers, say the tariffs make doing business in the U.S. too costly, even though American customers were key to their success.