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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan deal to end the federal government shutdown, clearing a major hurdle after more than five weeks of political deadlock that furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers, disrupted key public services, and rattled the wider economy.
In an initial test vote late Sunday night - the first in a series of procedural steps - the Senate voted 60-40 to advance a compromise bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said it "remains to be seen" when the chamber will be able to vote on the final passage of the measure to reopen the government, though he said he hopes it will pass early this week.
The agreement was hammered out after intense talks between a small group of Republican and Democratic negotiators, who faced mounting pressure from business leaders, governors, and frustrated federal employees. The bill provides back pay for furloughed workers, ensures continued funding for critical programs, and includes limited policy concessions designed to give both sides something to claim as a win.
Comment: Damage control out of control? Not Trump's first shutdown rodeo, the US government shut down in 2018 during his first term and lasted 35 days - the longest in US history until now.