U.S. Government Shutdown Nears End as 8 Senate Democrats Back Compromise Bill | WPN World People News

The U.S. Senate on the evening of November 9 voted 60–40 in a procedural motion to begin consideration of a comprehensive spending package already passed by the House of Representatives. The vote broke through weeks of filibuster, paving the way for a final vote on the bill. The breakthrough came as eight centrist Democratic senators crossed party lines to support the measure, raising hopes that the bill will advance to the House for final approval and end the record-breaking government shutdown that began on October 1.

The bipartisan compromise includes a modest omnibus appropriations bill covering funding for veterans’ programs, military housing construction, the Department of Agriculture, and congressional operations. It also attaches a stopgap funding measure lasting through January 30 next year and removes a planned federal workforce reduction that was set to begin in October. President Trump said, “It looks like we’re not far from ending the government shutdown.”

One of the main causes of the shutdown was the partisan stalemate over healthcare subsidies. Democrats insisted on extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies—worth roughly $30 billion annually—for another year, warning that otherwise more than 20 million Americans would face premium hikes. Under the new agreement, Democrats secured a commitment to hold a separate vote on the issue no later than the second week of December. If the Senate passes the revised bill, lawmakers will have 48 hours to return to Washington for a final vote, paving the way to reopen the government.