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The Senate is back in session after voting late Sunday night to advance a House-passed short-term funding measure to end the government shutdown, the first step in finalizing a deal that would end the impasse. Eight Democrats joined most Senate Republicans to advance the bill, but the timing of final passage of the revised package remains unclear. The legislation would also still need the approval of the House. Speaker Mike Johnson said members should begin returning to Washington "right now" in anticipation of a vote. The coalition that advanced the measure is seeking to amend the legislation to extend government funding through January and pass a trio of longer-term spending bills. As part of the deal to move forward, Senate Republicans promised to hold a vote at a future date on extending health insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Most Republicans have said they will oppose any extension. The majority of Senate Democrats opposed moving forward on the deal because it does not address the health care tax credits, their key demand throughout the shutdown fight. News of the agreement angered many Democratic lawmakers and members of the party's base, who accused the eight Senate Democrats of conceding with no tangible progress on health care.
