A group of moderate Democratic lawmakers have agreed to move forward with an agreement brokered by Republicans to reopen government.
The US Senate took the first step to end the longest-ever government shutdown on Sunday, after a group of moderate Democratic lawmakers agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies.
In a test vote that is the first in a series of required procedural manoeuvres, the Senate voted 60-40 to move toward passing compromise legislation to fund the government, angering many Democrats who say Americans want them to continue the fight.
The agreement involves holding a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire on 1 January. Final passage could be several days away if Democrats object and delay the process.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly endorsed the deal and called an immediate vote to begin the process of approving it as the shutdown continued to disrupt flights nationwide, threaten food assistance for millions of Americans and leave federal workers without pay.
“The time to act is now,” Thune said.
Returning to the White House on Sunday evening after attending a football game, US President Donald Trump did not say whether he endorsed the deal. But he said, “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending.”
