The missing Republican senator finally showed up to vote just before 11:00 p.m. Sunday night, on a revamped Continuing Resolution that will start the process of ending the shutdown and getting the government reopened.
The 40-day shutdown has caused tens of thousands of workers to be temporarily laid off and wrecked havoc at airports across the nation.
Eight Senate Democrats crossed the aisle to join Republicans in supporting a bipartisan bill to fund the government. However the vote was held up for a few hours, as Republicans were just one vote short from reaching the 60-votes needed, and Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas was no where to be found.
Reportedly, Cornyn had gone home for the weekend, and his plane was late returning. He is now in the “doghouse” with many conservatives over the stunt. Cornyn finally arrived at the Capitol to cast his vote late Sunday night, becoming the 60th vote to pass the bill.
Fox News explained that many of the Democrat lawmakers who splintered from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., were among those engaged in bipartisan talks over the last several weeks.
The bill will now require action by the House before the government shutdown can be officially ended.
Below is the moment the last senator, Republican John Cornyn of Texas, finally cast his vote, allowing Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold to end the filibuster and approve the bipartisan Continuing Resolution that will begin the process to re-open the government.
Democrats & Independents voting YEA: @SenCortezMasto @SenatorDurbin @SenFettermanPA@SenatorHassan @SenAngusKing@SenTimKaine @SenJackyRosen@SenatorShaheen
Republicans voting NAY: @SenRandPaul
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 10, 2025
The eight Democrat defectors were Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, John Fetterman, D-Pa., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Jacky Rosen, D-N.M., Tim Kaine, D-Va., and the number two Democrat in the Senate, Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
CLICK HERE to read the full continuing resolution passed Sunday night to end the government shutdown.
🚨 BREAKING: The Senate has adjourned until 11 am on Monday, although multiple more votes are needed to reopen the government
Speaker Johnson is hoping to have the House vote by WEDNESDAY, per Fox
Until then, airport chaos continues and the government remains shut down. pic.twitter.com/fD0f9ggz6s
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 10, 2025
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