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The longest government shutdown in U.S. history may be nearing its end, as a group of senators said that a deal had been reached to move forward funding legislation. The Associated Press reported that Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Sen. Angus King (I-ME) has reached a deal to extend government funding through January, as well as on three other annual spending bills. The Senate will hold an initial vote on Sunday evening that will test whether the plan has enough support. As news spread, other Democrats came out against any deal, which would fall short of extending Affordable Care Act subsidies through next year. The plan includes a promise of a vote on the health care subsidies by December, according to CNN. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), who has voted against the government funding proposal, indicated on Sunday that he would now vote for it under the terms of the deal. “This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do,” Kaine said. “Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will.” It also includes a reinstatement of those government workers who were fired during the shutdown, which started on Oct. 1, as well as backpay for federal employees who have either been furloughed or who have gone without pay during the impasse, Kaine said. Republicans need 60 votes to advance the legislation, meaning seven Democrats have to join all of their members. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that he would vote no. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) said that he would be voting against it. “It does nothing to stop premiums from doubling for millions of Americans,” he posted on X. “Democrats are fighting to make health care more affordable and hold this corrupt and lawless administration accountable. We can’t end this fight now. I will be voting no.” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said that the promise of a vote on extending healthcare premiums will be “meaningless” because even if it passes in the Senate, it may not even get to the House floor given GOP opposition. Democrats were celebratory last week, given their sweep of mid-year elections, and it seemed to embolden Senate lawmakers to continue to hold out. But starting on Friday, the Trump administration announced the reduction in flights at major airports, citing staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. Trump also has help out on funding food and nutritional benefits, even though there are contingency funds available. Trump has been urging Senate Republicans to abandon the filibuster as a way to move the funding legislation forward, denying Democrats any leverage, but lawmakers never took him up on it.
