Thousands of laid off federal workers would keep their jobs as part of a deal to end the federal government shutdown that also prohibits new terminations through Jan. 30.

The legislation cleared the Senate Nov. 9 and now heads to the House after eight Democrats joined with Republicans to approve the measure.

Citing a need to trim costs during the shutdown, the Trump administration initiated layoffs on Oct. 10 but they were paused by a federal judge in California.

The American Federation of Government Employees sued to block the 4,000 layoffs and more that President Donald Trump announced were coming. The union argued the layoffs were unlawful because they were arbitrary and capricious.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston temporarily halted all layoffs imposed or pending.

Contributing: Bart Jansen

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deal to end government shutdown reverses thousands of layoffs

Reporting by Zac Anderson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect