For first time in long US government shutdown, hints of progress toward reopening

People walk along the National Mall, in view of the U.S. Capitol building, more than a month into the continuing U.S. government shutdown in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 2, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The first glimmers toward ending a near-record long federal government shutdown were seen in the U.S. Capitol on Monday, as leading Senate Republicans and Democrats talked of a possible "off-ramp" to the disruption.

For 34 days, a standoff between Congress and President Donald Trump has shuttered a range of federal programs including those that provide aid for low-income Americans, U.S. soldiers' paychecks and airport operations.