US Senate advances bipartisan bill to end five-week shutdown

WASHINGTON (MNTV) — The US Senate voted 60-40 on Sunday to advance a bipartisan government funding bill, marking a key step toward ending the five-week federal shutdown.

Eight Democrats joined Republicans to break the Democratic filibuster and move the legislation forward. The bill includes a commitment to reinstate laid-off federal workers and to hold a future vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care subsidies.

Democratic Whip Dick Durbin was among those who broke ranks, along with Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Tim Kaine, and Jacky Rosen, as well as independent Sen. Angus King.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul was the only GOP member to oppose the measure.

The agreement would fund the government through the end of January in exchange for a Republican pledge to vote on the ACA subsidy extension, which is set to expire Jan. 1.

However, the path to final approval remains uncertain. Under Senate rules, any senator can delay a final vote for several days, and the House must still reconvene to approve the deal before it reaches President Donald Trump’s desk.

Tensions briefly flared during the vote when Republican Sens. John Cornyn, Rick Scott, Mike Lee, and Ron Johnson initially withheld their votes. After discussions with party leaders, all four eventually backed the bill.

The Senate is expected to take the final vote in the coming days, potentially paving the way for the federal government to reopen after one of the longest shutdowns in recent years.