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The Senate on Sunday approved the first step toward ending the government shutdown after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to move forward without securing a guaranteed extension of federal health care subsidies.
The decision drew frustration from many Democrats who say voters expect them to keep fighting for the benefits.
In a 60 to 40 test vote, senators agreed to begin debate on a bipartisan funding package that would reopen the government and hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire Jan. 1. The procedural vote is the first of several needed before final passage, which could take days if Democrats slow the process.
The deal does not ensure the credits will be extended. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted no, along with most of the caucus. Only eight Democrats supported the motion.
Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine helped break a six-week delay by agreeing to advance three bipartisan spending bills and extend government funding until late January. In return, senators would hold a vote in mid-December on the health care tax credits.
The agreement would also reverse mass firings of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown began on Oct. 1 and provide back pay for affected employees.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, backed the deal and pushed for an immediate vote as the shutdown continued to delay flights, threaten food assistance for millions and leave federal workers without pay.
President Donald Trump, returning to the White House late Sunday, did not say if he supported the deal. “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending,” he said.
Along with Shaheen, King and Hassan, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia also voted to advance the agreement. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen also voted yes.
Moderates had expected more Democrats to join them since about 10 to 12 had been part of the talks. In the end, only five additional Democrats backed the motion, the minimum needed for Republicans to reach 60 votes. King, Cortez Masto and Fetterman had already supported reopening the government since Oct. 1.
