Copyright Newsweek
A group of three moderate Democratic senators has reached a tentative agreement that could end the 40-day government shutdown, according to the Associated Press. The deal, brokered by New Hampshire Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, would reopen the government and extend funding until late January. The proposal includes promises from Republicans to hold a vote on expiring healthcare subsidies by mid-December. However, the deal remains far from final, with key questions about Republican endorsement and sufficient Democratic support still unresolved. Why It Matters The prolonged shutdown has created mounting crises across the nation. Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights on Sunday alone, with Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy warning that air travel ahead of Thanksgiving could be "reduced to a trickle" without government reopening. Federal workers have gone without pay for over a month, straining household finances across the nation. Food assistance programs have become entangled in legal disputes, with more than two dozen states warning of "catastrophic operational disruptions" as the President Donald Trump's administration demands states reverse benefits previously paid under court orders. What To Know The moderate Democrats' proposal would fund three annual spending bills and extend remaining government funding through the end of January. The agreement attempts to bridge a fundamental divide: Democrats have demanded an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expiring January 1, which make health insurance affordable for millions of Americans. Without extension, premiums on health exchange plans are expected to more than double next year. Republicans have refused to negotiate on healthcare while the government remains closed, but have shown openness to the moderates' approach, which delays the healthcare decision rather than resolving it immediately. The deal also includes language to reverse some Trump administration mass firings of federal workers that have occurred since the shutdown began October 1. Republicans, meanwhile, released final legislative text for three full-year spending bills that maintain a ban on congressional pay raises while increasing lawmakers' security by $203.5 million in response to heightened threats. What People Are Saying House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in a statement to Politico: “We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives, where [Speaker] Mike Johnson will be compelled to end the seven week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation." What Happens Next? The Senate is expected to vote on the deal to extend government funding beginning between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET, according to a GOP aide speaking to CNN. Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
