Washington DC [US]: The prolonged US government shutdown may soon be over, President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday, saying negotiations between Senate leaders and the White House are nearing a breakthrough.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending. We never agreed to give any substantial money to prisoners or illegal immigrants, and I think the Democrats understand that. You’ll know the result very soon.”
According to a CNN report citing sources familiar with the talks, a bipartisan group of at least eight centrist Senate Democrats has struck a tentative deal with Senate Republican leaders and the White House. The agreement aims to reopen the government in exchange for a future vote on expanding Affordable Care Act subsidies.
The proposed deal would end the longest shutdown in US history and introduce a short-term measure to fund the government through January, while setting the stage for a comprehensive funding package for key federal agencies.
A Republican aide told CNN that the Senate is expected to begin voting on the agreement between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday. The negotiations were reportedly led by three former governors — Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and Angus King of Maine — alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune and White House officials.
While the deal does not include a firm Republican commitment to extend enhanced healthcare subsidies, Democrats involved believe that both chambers will pursue a compromise in the coming weeks.
Senate Democratic leaders have yet to formally endorse the agreement, and their caucus met behind closed doors for several hours on Sunday night. Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders expressed strong opposition and plan to convene separately on Monday to discuss their response.
If approved, the Senate would first vote on the House-passed stopgap funding bill, requiring support from at least eight Democrats. The chamber would then amend the bill with the broader bipartisan funding proposal before sending it back to the House and then to President Trump’s desk for final approval — a process that could take several more days.
