After moderate Democrats in the U.S. Senate agreed to move forward without a guaranteed extension of health-care subsidies, a test vote was held to end the government shutdown. The Senate voted 60-40 to advance compromise legislation funding the government and scheduling a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire on Jan. 1. Final approval may take days if Democrats raise objections.
The deal, brokered by a bipartisan group including New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan, and Independent Sen. Angus King, aims to break the six-week deadlock. It involves advancing three bipartisan annual spending bills and prolonging government funding until late January in exchange for a mid-December vote on extending health-care tax credits.
The agreement also addresses issues such as the reversal of federal worker layoffs since the shutdown began on Oct. 1 and ensuring back pay for affected employees. Senate Majority Leader John Thune supported the deal, emphasizing the urgency to act as the shutdown disrupts flights and impacts various essential services.
President Donald Trump, upon returning to the White House, expressed optimism about ending the shutdown without explicitly endorsing the deal. Meanwhile, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized the agreement, voicing concerns about conceding on health care.
Republicans collaborated with moderate Democrats to navigate the ongoing crisis, while some Democrats remain apprehensive about the deal’s implications. The proposal includes funding key government areas and extending funding until January’s end, along with a future vote on health-care subsidies.
The deal also addresses reinstating affected federal workers, reimbursing states for running federal programs during the shutdown, and safeguarding against future layoffs. Democratic pushback is anticipated, with concerns raised about the agreement’s scope and effectiveness in addressing health care challenges.