Longest shutdown in US history to come to an end as Senate approves funding package

The U.S. Senate late Monday approved a long-sought funding package that would end the government shutdown, bringing Congress one step closer to ending an impasse that has gripped Washington for 41 days and sowed chaos across the country, CBS News writes.

The bill will still need approval from the House and the signature of the president before the shutdown ends. House Speaker Mike Johnson said members should begin returning to Washington “right now” in anticipation of a vote later this week.

Because of the shutdown, government employees in the country have not received salaries for more than a month. Air traffic controllers and airport employees have also been working without pay. Millions of Americans have been deprived of access to essential services. Americans receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have received only a portion of the assistance they are entitled to this month.

According to various estimates, the weekly losses due to the shutdown are estimated at $10-15 billion.

The U.S. government shutdown began on Oct. 1. It was the longest in the country’s history – 41 days.

The previous record for a government shutdown was set during Donald Trump’s first term as president: it lasted 35 days.