The US federal government’s shutdown is now in its 41st day, and it seems like it just might be nearing an end following a pivotal Senate vote.
Donald Trump remarked that it appeared like they are getting close to the shutdown ending, which is a huge sigh of relief for citizens in America.
In the Senate, eight Democrats broke from their party and joined Republicans to clear the 60-vote threshold needed to advance a temporary funding measure.
The deal would end up funding the government through the end of January and provide time for further negotiations. This includes health-care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
Key aspects of this agreement include prohibiting further federal workforce firings until the end of January and offering retroactive pay for furloughed workers.
But this measure does not yet extend the ACA premium subsidies that Democrats had demanded. Instead, it promises a December vote on that question, with no real guarantee of passage.
While Senate approval is imminent, huge hurdles remain. The bill must pass the House of Representatives and then be signed by the president.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and many House Democrats have mentioned that they will be opposing the legislation in its current form because it fails to guarantee healthcare protections.