(AURN News) – After 40 days of federal gridlock, the Senate has made its first move toward ending the government shutdown. In a 60-40 vote Sunday night, senators agreed to take up a temporary spending plan that would reopen the government through the end of January.
The deal, brokered by a handful of moderate Democrats and independents, does not guarantee the health care subsidies Democrats have been fighting for. Instead, it promises a December vote on whether to extend those Affordable Care Act tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year.
Most Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, voted against the measure, saying it gives up too much leverage. But eight Democrats joined Republicans to move it forward, calling it a necessary step to reopen the federal government, get workers back on the job, and restore programs such as SNAP and housing assistance that have been caught in the standoff.
But it’s not done yet. The Senate must approve the full package, send it back to the House, and then get it to the president’s desk.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
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