The ongoing government shutdown in America has dragged on for more than 40 days, but now it is expected to end soon. Its solution may emerge from the vote to be held in the Senate on Sunday. Republican leader Senator John Thune said that ‘a deal is being made with Democrats to end the shutdown, but nothing has been decided yet.’
Democrats, under the leadership of Chuck Schumer (Democratic Party leader and senator), made a proposal on Friday, in which there was talk of extending the subsidy of ‘Affordable Care Act’ (Obamacare) for at least one year. Initially, Republican Party members and President Donald Trump refused to consider this proposal, but now there are indications that Republicans are working on a financial package, which would ensure full year funding for some departments (such as Veterans, Food Aid) and help end the government shutdown.
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A government shutdown in the US occurs when Congress (US Parliament) fails to pass a finance bill (required budget for departments and various schemes) within the deadline, causing non-essential business to come to a halt. To end the government shutdown, a spending bill or Continuing Resolution (CR) must be passed in Congress and signed by the President.
What is the numbers game in the House of Representatives?
simple majority: 218 votes (out of 435 members), assuming a quorum of 218 members is present. In case of vacancies or absence of members in the House, this number comes to the majority of those voting.
Process: Bills are passed by majority vote; There is no filibuster. Recent continuing resolutions, such as the September 2025 agreement, passed with a majority of 217–215. Let us tell you here that filibuster is a parliamentary procedure in which one or more members of a legislative body prolong the debate on a proposed bill so long that the decision is delayed or it can be stopped completely.
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What is the numbers game in the US Senate (Upper House)?
In the US Senate, 60 votes would be needed to invoke cloture under Rule XXII and end debate, thereby overcoming the filibuster. If there is no filibuster, the bill can then be passed with a simple majority (51 votes). But the practical limit of majority for most funding bills is 60. At the current ratio of 53-47, Republicans would need the support of at least seven Democrats or independents to pass the bill.
Procedure: Without cloture, the debate can continue indefinitely. The 2025 Shutdown Continuing Resolution was approved by the Senate 67-33 after a cloture of 60 votes. Cloture is a motion or procedure in parliamentary procedure, the purpose of which is to end the debate quickly.
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