US shutdown update: Senate approves funding, end date in sight
The senator managed to secure the minimum 60 votes (Photo: Getty Images)
The US Senate has passed a government funding bill intended to end the longest shutdown in history. However, one more step is still needed to implement the plan, according to CNN.
CNN reports that senators have finally managed to overcome the deadlock that led the country into its longest-ever shutdown.
Sixty senators voted in favor, which is the minimum threshold required for the measure to pass.
This came after eight Democratic senators agreed to a deal that includes a vote on extending healthcare subsidies and guarantees that federal employees who were furloughed during the government shutdown will be reinstated.
The senators involved are Catherine Cortez, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Tim Kaine, Maggie Hassan, Jacky Rosen, Jeanne Shaheen, and independent senator Angus King.
However, several more steps are required to end the shutdown. The bill must now be approved by the US House of Representatives, and only after that will it go to President Donald Trump for signing.
Meanwhile, House Democratic leadership has already warned that the vote is expected later this week. Lawmakers will receive notice 36 hours before the vote begins, as members of the House are facing flight delays and cancellations due to the government shutdown.
Deal to end the shutdown
Earlier today, US President Donald Trump announced that the shutdown is approaching its end.
At the same time, CNN reported that a bipartisan agreement had been reached in the Senate to fund the government until January 30. As mentioned above, the deal was reached under conditions agreed upon by both Democrats and Republicans.
The US shutdown began on October 1. As of today, it has lasted 40 days, breaking all previous records for the longest shutdown in US history.
