WASHINGTON - On Sunday, the Senate voted on initial measures to end the 40-day government shutdown after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to move forward without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies — a decision that angered many in their caucus who wanted to keep up the fight.
The group of three former governors — New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine — said they would vote to reopen if the Senate passed three annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune endorsed the deal Sunday night and called an immediate vote to begin the process of approving it.
"We must not delay any longer," Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins said in a Senate floor speech, adding that she is "relieved" that the shutdown appeared headed toward an end.
Returning to the White House on Sunday evening after attending a football game, Trump did not say whether he endorsed the deal. But he said, "It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending."
The deal would also include a future vote on the health care subsidies, which would not have a guaranteed outcome, and a reversal of the mass firings of federal workers that have happened since the shutdown began on Oct. 1. The full text of the deal has not yet been released.
Republicans need five Democratic votes to reopen the government. In addition to Shaheen, King and Hassan, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, home to millions of federal workers, also said he would support the agreement.
After Democrats met for over two hours to discuss the proposal, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he could not "in good faith" support it.
"America is in the midst of a Republican-made health care crisis," Schumer said on the floor just ahead of the expected votes. He said Americans would "suffer immensely" and that the crisis would only get worse.
"Democrats have sounded the alarm," Schumer said, and "will not give up the fight."