Senate advances bill to end 40-day government shutdown
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The US Senate on Sunday advanced a House-passed stopgap funding bill in a 60-40 procedural vote, taking the first clear step toward ending the 40-day partial government shutdown that began on Oct. 1. The move followed an agreement by a group of moderate Democrats to proceed without a guaranteed extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, a concession that split their caucus and drew criticism from progressives. The measure will be amended in the Senate to include additional funding language — reports say it is intended to keep federal agencies funded into late January — and still requires final passage in the Senate, approval in the House and the signature of President Trump before furloughed workers are paid and services fully restart.

A view of the US Capitol building during the shutdown, illustrating the legislative site of the funding debate.

Highlights:

  • Democratic split: Eight Democratic senators joined Republicans to advance the bill, prompting sharp criticism from within the Democratic caucus for accepting no immediate guarantee on health-subsidy extensions
  • Legislative path: Senators plan to amend the House stopgap to combine a short-term measure with three full-year appropriations bills before final votes, and the package still needs House approval and the president's signature
  • Federal workforce: The proposed compromise would bar agencies from firing employees until January 30 and has been framed as a win for federal worker unions amid concerns about pending federal downsizing
  • Economic and security costs: Business and security disruptions during the shutdown have included delayed food aid, snarled air travel and more than $5 billion in held arms exports to NATO partners, according to reports warning of wider economic damage
It looks like we're getting very close to the shutdown ending - President Donald Trump

Perspectives:

  • President Trump: The president said the shutdown appears close to ending and welcomed procedural progress while noting the final steps remain. (Dawn)
  • Centrist Democratic senators: Centrist Democrats argued they advanced the measure to reopen the government now while preserving the option of a later vote on health-subsidy extensions. (Al Jazeera)
  • Progressive Democrats: Progressives publicly criticised the decision to move forward without a guaranteed, immediate extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. (Le Monde)
  • Federal worker unions: Unions welcomed protections in the measure that prevent firings until late January and noted back pay provisions for furloughed staff. (The Globe and Mail)

Sources:

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