End to longest US government shutdown one step closer – as Democrats face backlash
An end to the longest US government shutdown in history is one step closer.
Legislation has been formally approved by the Senate by 60 votes to 40 after Democrats and Republicans teamed up to strike an agreement.
However, the bill will still need approval from the House of Representatives – and be signed off by President Donald Trump.
On Monday morning, Senate Majority Leader John Thune had urged politicians to work together to break a stalemate that had lasted for more than 40 days.
He said: “The American people have suffered for long enough. Let’s not pointlessly drag this bill out.”
The shutdown began on 1 October – with 670,000 federal government employees furloughed or left with no choice but to work without pay.
SNAP, a food aid programme used by 42 million Americans, has been frozen – with thousands of flights cancelled at dozens of major airports.
Mr Trump welcomed news of a deal in the Senate, and has already told air traffic controllers to get back to work, threatening anyone who doesn’t with “docked” pay.
Read more US news:
Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn
Ghislaine Maxwell’s emails from jail leaked
The shutdown has caused extensive travel disruption. Pic: Reuters
‘This is surrender’
The decision by eight moderate Democrats to break the deadlock in the Senate has provoked anger among many in the party.
Healthcare was at the heart of the dispute that led to the shutdown, with the Democrats refusing to support a Republican budget plan unless tax credits that made medical insurance cheaper for millions of Americans were renewed.
Some are now calling on Senate Minority Chuck Schumer to be replaced because he is “no longer effective”.
While California Governor Gavin Newsom – widely regarded as a contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination – said: ” “Pathetic. This isn’t a deal. It’s surrender.”
