US Senate advances bill to end 40-day government shutdown

The US Senate 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 January 30 and include a package of three full-year appropriations bills.

If the Senate eventually passes the amended measure, it must still be approved by the House of Representatives and sent to President Donald Trump for his signature — a process that could take several days.

Read: US govt shutdown takes its toll

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.

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,” Trump told reporters at the White House prior to the vote.

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

Some 2.2 million civilians worked for the federal government at the start of 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 the downsizing effort.

Read More: US govt has shut down

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

When the Senate reconvenes on Monday, Republican leaders will try to reach a bipartisan agreement to circumvent Senate rules and move quickly to passage. Otherwise, the chamber could require much of the coming week to move through procedural actions before voting on final passage — possibly extending the shutdown into next weekend.

“It was a good vote tonight,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters after the Senate adjourned on Sunday. “Hopefully, we’ll get an opportunity tomorrow to set up the next votes. Of course, that’s going to take some cooperation and consent.”