The United States Senate has approved an agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing government shutdown. This action follows a weekend of negotiations in Washington.
This vote represents a procedural step toward a compromise intended to fund the government, which has been without appropriation since October 1. The agreement requires further legislative action, including a vote in the House of Representatives, before federal employees can return to work and services resume.
The current government shutdown has lasted 40 days, making it the longest on record in the US. During this period, approximately 1.4 million federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave or have worked without compensation. The shutdown has also affected various services, including US air travel and food assistance programs for 41 million low-income Americans.
The agreement was negotiated by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and representatives from the White House. Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, were also involved in the discussions.
Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, needed 60 votes for the measure to pass. The agreement secured eight votes from Democrats. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was the sole Republican to vote against the measure, citing concerns regarding the national debt.
A component of the deal includes an agreement for a December vote on the extension of healthcare subsidies scheduled to expire this year. This issue had been a key point of negotiation for Democrats.