Details on the agreement

The continuing resolution (CR) includes a three-bill minibus that would fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FDA, the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction projects, and the operations of Congress for the current fiscal year. All other agencies would be funded through Jan. 30, 2026.

In addition, the CR would delay disproportionate share hospital cuts and extend multiple Medicare programs and authorities that were attached to the first funding bill passed in March.

Sources who spoke to Inside Health Policy said they also expect telehealth claims that have been on hold since the start of the shutdown on Oct. 1 to be paid out retroactively and any claims that were paid at a lower rate due to the expiration of a geographic adjustment would be reprocessed.

The CR also includes $14 million for the implementation of the No Surprises Act.

Eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus — Sens. Angus King (I-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Catherine Cotez Masto (D-Nev.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) — voted alongside all Senate Republicans to advance the CR.

Notably, the CR does not include any mention of extending the enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act that are slated to expire at the end of the year, which was one of the core reasons Democrats voted against a funding bill passed by the House in September.

In addition, the CR would prevent some future firings with a prohibition on any reductions in force in any department or agency until at least Jan. 30, 2026.

What happens next

There are still additional steps the Senate must take to pass the CR. Thune said it "remains to be seen" how quickly the Senate will be able to get a final vote on the deal, including whether senators will agree to yield back time on Monday.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has said he wants a vote to remove hemp language as part of the minibus and a "guarantee" the amendment would be successful, according to Thune.

Thune also noted concerns among three Senators — Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) — who delayed the initial vote on the CR because they wanted to discuss the "overall budget process." Thune said that Johnson also has shutdown-related legislation he wants to vote on.

Assuming the CR passes the Senate, it would then go to the House where it's expected to face opposition from Democrats, including from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). In a statement, Jeffries said that "we will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives, where [Speaker] Mike Johnson will be compelled to end the seven-week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation."

However, despite Jeffries' opposition to the CR, a handful of centrist Democrats are inclined to vote in favor of the resolution, which could make up for any vote shortfall from House Republicans, according to two Democrats who spoke anonymously to POLITICO.

House members were notified Sunday night that they'll have 36 hours' notice for any scheduled votes, which will likely come a day or two after the Senate passes the final CR.