A temporary budget bill to end the federal government shutdown passed the Senate on Monday. This agreement comes 41 days after the shutdown began on October 1st.

In a floor vote held late Monday night, the Senate approved the temporary federal budget bill with 60 votes in favor and 40 against.

The initial agreement was for seven Democratic senators and one independent senator, a total of eight, to join Republicans and vote in favor. However, the Democratic leadership expressed dissatisfaction with the agreement, making the Senate floor vote on Monday uncertain.

This shutdown began when the Democratic side rejected the continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House, insisting on "healthcare for all."

Subsequently, Democrats demanded an extension of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, as a condition for negotiation. However, Republicans and President Trump resisted, pointing out that this condition was an improper demand.

Prior to this day, a total of 14 votes had been held on temporary budget bills during the shutdown, but the two parties could not narrow their differences, failing to reach the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster.

Although two Democratic senators and one independent senator continued to vote in favor, the situation of still needing five more votes was repeated.

As a result of ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations between moderate senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties, members of both parties reached an agreement on the condition of promising to reinstate federal employees who were furloughed due to the shutdown.

Prior to the final vote, a "procedural vote" held in the Senate the previous day passed with 60 votes in favor and 40 against, paving the way for the temporary budget bill to be processed.

The agreement reached by eight Democratic senators with Republicans includes a temporary federal budget bill through January 30th of next year and three bills for the fiscal year 2026 budget for departments and government programs that have achieved bipartisan agreement.

Since the content of the temporary budget bill was amended during the Senate's agreement process, the House must go through a separate approval process. Given that Republicans hold a majority, its passage is expected.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, has requested that House members return to Washington D.C. immediately. A House vote is anticipated as early as the 12th.

President Trump also stated to the press on Monday that the agreement is "very good" and that he will "abide by the agreement."

President Trump added, "It's unfortunate that there was a shutdown, but we will reopen our country very quickly."

By Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter, NNP America / Special Contribution to This Newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com