Trump Backs Senate Deal to End Shutdown

President Donald Trump came out on Nov. 10 in support of the deal in the Senate to end the government shutdown, which has now reached its 41st day.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he favors the agreement.

“Well, depends on what deal we’re talking about. But if it’s the deal I heard about, that’s certainly … they want to change the deal a little bit, but I would say so,” he said.

“Based on everything I’m hearing, they haven’t changed anything,” he continued. “We have support from enough Democrats and we’re going to be opening up our country. It’s too bad it was slow, but we’ll be opening up our country very quickly.”

The Senate advanced legislation on Nov. 9 to reopen the government that had the support of seven Democrats: Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Sen. Angus King, an Independent from Maine who caucuses with the Democrats, also supports the legislation.

The bill would fund the government through Jan. 30, 2026.

It also includes three full-year appropriations bills to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture through Sept. 30, 2026.

Additionally, the measure funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children through Sept. 30, 2026.

The legislation reverses cuts made to the federal workforce during the government shutdown, and Trump said he will follow through on that front.

“I’ll abide by the deal,” he said in the Oval Office. “The deal is very good.”

Those employees will receive back pay.

Moreover, the deal guarantees a vote in the second week of December on extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, a demand made by Democrats that has been the main source of disagreement that kept the government shut.

There were mixed reactions to the agreement, with Republicans welcoming it.

“I’m thankful to welcome you to what appears to be the beginning of the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, as shameful as that is,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters during a Nov. 10 press conference.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote: “After 40 long days, I’m hopeful that we can finally bring this shutdown to an end. I don’t need to go over all the reasons why it’s imperative that we get the government open as soon as possible.

“From the truly precarious situation we are in with regard to air travel to the fact that our staffs have been working without pay for a full 40 days now, all of us, Republicans and Democrats, who support this bill know that the time to act is now.”

Most Democrats criticized the agreement.

“This health care crisis is so severe, so urgent, so devastating for families back home, that I cannot in good faith support this [continuing resolution] that fails to address the healthcare crisis,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said ahead of the vote. “But let me be clear: however this vote turns out, this fight will and must continue.”

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said: “What’s clear is that the old way of doing business continues to fail America. Leadership is about changing and adapting when there is real need, and unless we hear that, we will fail to meet the moment.”