**Senate Moves Forward on Compromise to End 40-Day Government Shutdown**
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate was voting Sunday night on whether to advance a compromise agreement to end the 40-day government shutdown. This follows a deal brokered by a group of moderate Democrats, who agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who wanted to continue the fight.
A group of three former governors—New Hampshire Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, as well as Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine—broke the stalemate by agreeing to vote to advance three bipartisan annual spending bills. The deal would also extend funding for the rest of the government until late January, in exchange for a Senate vote in mid-December on extending health care tax credits.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune endorsed the compromise Sunday night, calling an immediate vote. “The time to act is now,” Thune said.
As the roll call neared completion with sufficient Democratic votes, the process was temporarily delayed awaiting the arrival of Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who was needed to cast the decisive 60th vote. Republican leaders held the vote open, anticipating Cornyn’s arrival.
**Key Provisions in the Deal**
If passed, the deal would:
– Reverse the mass firings of federal workers ordered by the Trump administration since the shutdown began.
– Ensure federal employees receive back pay.
– Extend most government funding through late January.
– Advance three bipartisan spending bills covering food aid, veterans programs, and the legislative branch.
– Keep a ban on lawmaker pay raises, while boosting security by $203.5 million in response to increased threats.
– Prevent the sale of certain hemp-based products, a provision championed by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
– Reinstate federal workers who had received layoff notices.
– Reimburse states that spent their own funds to keep federal programs running.
– Protect federal workers from further layoffs through January.
**Democratic Division**
The agreement does not guarantee that Affordable Care Act subsidies will be extended, a sticking point for many Democrats. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) voiced his opposition, along with most Democratic colleagues.
After a two-hour caucus meeting, Schumer said he could not “in good faith” support the package. “America is in the midst of a Republican-made health care crisis,” he said. Schumer warned that Americans would “suffer immensely” and that the crisis would deepen.
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, called yielding “a horrific mistake,” echoing Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who emphasized that withholding health insurance would endanger lives.
Despite the resistance, some Democrats voted for the agreement, including Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.), who represents tens of thousands of federal employees, as well as Sens. Dick Durbin (Ill.), John Fetterman (Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), and Jacky Rosen (Nev.).
Kaine explained, “I have long said that to earn my vote, we need to be on a path toward fixing Republicans’ health care mess and to protect the federal workforce.”
Other Democrats voted no, including Virginia Sen. Mark Warner and Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks.
**House Democrats Push Back**
The compromise faced swift criticism from House Democrats. Rep. Greg Casar (Texas), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called the deal a “betrayal” of millions of Americans. “Accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isn’t a compromise—it’s capitulation,” Casar posted on X.
Rep. Angie Craig (Minn.) derided the deal online, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans, vowing that Democrats would continue to fight. “Donald Trump and the Republican Party own the toxic mess they have created in our country and the American people know it,” Jeffries said.
**Health Care Debate Ahead**
The path forward on health care subsidies remains uncertain. Senate Republicans have refused to negotiate on health care, but some moderates have indicated openness to extending COVID-19-era tax credits, provided new limits are placed on who can receive subsidies.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has not committed to bringing the measure up for a vote in his chamber. Meanwhile, former President Trump renewed his criticism of the Affordable Care Act, calling it “THE WORST HEALTHCARE FOR THE HIGHEST PRICE.”
**Shutdown Effects Worsen**
As lawmakers debate, the effects of the shutdown are mounting. On Sunday, U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights—the highest since the shutdown began—and there were over 7,000 delays, according to FlightAware.
Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy warned that Thanksgiving air travel could be “reduced to a trickle” if the government remains closed. Additionally, tens of millions have seen delays in food aid, with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits caught up in legal battles tied to the shutdown.
**Looking Ahead**
While the Senate’s compromise signals possible movement toward reopening the government, divisions remain both within and between parties. The fate of health care subsidies will likely be decided in the weeks ahead, as the nation feels the strain of prolonged political deadlock.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/09/national-politics/angus-king-shutdown-update/
