U.S. Congress Inches Toward Ending the Prolonged Shutdown

The longest federal shutdown in U.S. history appears to be nearing its end, as key lawmakers signal growing optimism in Washington.

What’s Changing:

John Thune (Senate Majority Leader) stated he’s “optimistic” the shutdown can wrap up this week, adding that ongoing negotiations and pressure on both sides are finally pushing toward a resolution.

The shutdown began Oct 1 after funding expired, furloughing an estimated 900,000 federal workers and impacting services across multiple agencies.

Major labour unions, including American Federation of Government Employees, ramped up pressure for a “clean” funding resolution, with the growing strain on workers becoming a key motivator in the talks.

Why This Matters:

Every day the shutdown stretches on, the cost rises — both in economic output and political goodwill. With momentum shifting toward compromise, markets, federal employees and service-users alike are cautiously hopeful. If Congress passes a continuing resolution soon, federal operations and confidence in broader U.S. liquidity/credit conditions could stabilize.

My Take:

While this signals progress, the real test will be the details of the deal: Will it be temporary, or tie into long-term budget agreements? For sectors like fintech, crypto, and global markets — knowing when Washington gets back to business is just as important as what the budget contains.