US Senate Advances Bill to End Federal Shutdown

The US Senate has moved forward on​ a measure aimed ⁤at reopening the ‌federal government and ending a now 40-day shutdown that has sidelined federal workers, delayed food aid and snarled air travel.

In a procedural vote, senators advanced a ‍House-passed⁢ bill that will be amended to fund the government until 30 ⁤January ⁣and include a package of​ three full-year appropriations bills.

If the Senate eventually passes the bill, the package still must be approved by the House⁤ of Representatives and‌ sent to⁣ President Donald Trump for his signature, a process that could take several days.

Under a deal struck with⁢ a handful of Democrats who rebuffed ​their party’s leadership, Republicans⁤ agreed to a vote in December on extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, a‍ person familiar‌ with the negotiations said.

The subsidies, which ‌help lower-income Americans pay for private health insurance and are due to expire at the end of the year, have been a Democratic priority during the funding battle.

The vote to advance the bill passed by ⁣a 60-40 margin, the minimum needed to overcome a Senate filibuster.

“It looks like we’re getting very close‍ to the shutdown ending,” Mr Trump told reporters at the White House prior ⁤to the vote.

The bill would prohibit federal agencies ​from firing employees until 30 January,a win for federal worker unions ⁤and their allies.It‌ would stall Mr Trump’s campaign to downsize the federal workforce.

Some 2.2 million civilians worked for the federal government at the start of Mr Trump’s second term, according to federal records.

At least 300,000 employees are expected to leave the government by the end of this year due to Mr Trump’s downsizing effort.

It ⁢would also provide back pay for all federal employees, including members of the military, Border Patrol agents, ‍and ‍air-traffic controllers.

The deal was brokered by ⁢two New Hampshire Democrats, Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne ⁢Shaheen, and Angus⁤ King,⁢ an autonomous ⁤from Maine, the person said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck​ schumer,the chamber’s top Democrat,voted against the measure.

“For over a month, I’ve made clear that my priorities are to both reopen government and extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits. This is our best path toward accomplishing both of ⁢these goals,” Ms Shaheen posted on X.

many Democrats watched the deal unfold with displeasure.

“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” wrote US representative Ro Khanna on X.

“If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you‌ fight for?”

Yesterday marked the 40th day of the shutdown, which⁣ has sidelined⁤ federal ⁤workers and affected food ‍aid, parks and travel, while air traffic control staffing shortages ‍threaten to derail travel during the busy Thanksgiving holiday season late this month.

Senator Thom ‍Tillis,‍ a Republican from North Carolina, said the mounting effects of the shutdown⁢ pushed the chamber toward an agreement.

“Temperatures cool, the ⁤atmospheric pressure increases outside and all of a sudden it looks like things will come together.”