The U.S. Senate made progress towards resolving the government shutdown as moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without guaranteed health-care subsidy extensions, sparking dissent within their ranks. In a preliminary vote of 60-40, the Senate moved closer to passing a compromise bill to fund the government, with a subsequent vote planned on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire on January 1. Final approval may be delayed if Democrats raise objections.
The agreement reached by a bipartisan group, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Angus King, ended a six-week deadlock by supporting the advancement of three bipartisan spending bills and extending government funding until late January in exchange for a vote on extending health-care tax credits in mid-December.
The deal also reversed mass federal worker dismissals since the shutdown began and ensured back pay for affected employees. Senate Majority Leader John Thune endorsed the agreement, emphasizing the need for immediate action amid disruptions to flights, food assistance, and federal worker pay.
While President Donald Trump did not explicitly endorse the deal, he hinted at progress in ending the shutdown. Notably, Democratic Senators Tim Kaine, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Jacky Rosen backed the agreement, aligning with moderate voices to secure the necessary votes.
Despite some Democrats opposing the deal, citing the absence of health-care subsidy guarantees, Republicans have shown support for the compromise. The agreement would fund essential government functions and extend funding until January’s end, with a scheduled vote on health-care subsidies by mid-December. It also addresses worker layoffs, state funding reimbursements, and future job protection measures.
As the shutdown lingers, the emerging bipartisan agreement faces Democratic pushback, with concerns raised over the lack of concrete health-care provisions. House Democrats, including Reps. Greg Casar and Angie Craig, criticized the deal for not adequately addressing health-care costs, highlighting the ongoing debate over the terms of the resolution.