Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder.

The record 41-day government shutdown is not over yet, but Senate passage tonight of a short-term funding bill broke a stalemate that has lasted more than six weeks.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

This has been a very long road, quite literally the longest shutdown in history. I am very, very happy

to be able to say that we are coming to the end. Senator Thune speaking on the floor after the Senate

voted 60 to 40 to approve a deal, a small group of Democrats and one independent made with

Republicans. The House must also

pass the legislation before it sent to President Trump's desk. House Speaker Mike Johnson,

urging lawmakers to return to Washington, saying the House must vote as quickly as possible.

When the House returns to Capitol Hill, Adelita Grahalva is expected to be sworn in more than

a month after she was elected to represent her Arizona district.

She's expected to give the final signature to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.

The government may be on the cusp of reopening, but millions of Americans who receive federal food assistance remain in limbo.

As the Trump administration appeals, a federal judge is ruling to

fully fund SNAP payments this month. Nick Dela Canal of member station WFAE reports of food

assistance organizations are feeling the strain. Have a great day, ma'am. Thank you so much.

A line of cars wraps around the block at a food chair in Charlotte for people who received SNAP benefits. Some here say they received partial payments on Friday, but it wasn't much.

One man said he received $16 when he usually receives about 100. Others, like Michelle Sands, still

have empty accounts. I keep looking online and I even call my card and it still ain't saying nothing.

The uncertainty comes as food banks are preparing for Thanksgiving, normally their busiest time of year.

And they say every day the shutdown continues makes their own holiday outlook more uncertain.

For NPR News, I'm Nick Della Canal in Charlotte.

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