Donald Trump says deal to end longest shutdown ‘getting close’

The Senate has voted 60-40 to begin the first step to ending the longest running shutdown in US history.

The vote is the first in a series of required procedural manoeuvres moving toward passing compromise legislation to fund the government and hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire Jan. 1.

Final passage could be several days away if Democrats object and delay the process.

A bi-partisan deal was reached that includes no guarantee that Republicans will actually extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire January 1, that has been central to the funding fight, just that they promise to hold a vote on expiring subsidies by December.

Democratic Whip Dick Durbin broke with other members of Senate Democratic leadership to advance the package, alongside Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Tim Kaine, Jacky Rosen and independent Sen. Angus King, CNN reports

Republican Sen. Rand Paul was the sole GOP “no” vote.

As news of the possible deal emerged, US President Donald Trump declared that an end to the 40-day shutdown is “getting very close”.

“I think the Democrats understand that, and it looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending. You’ll know very soon,” President Trump said.

“A deal is coming together,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Sunday afternoon local time, but he warned it may not end the impasse. “We’ll see where the votes are.”

Republicans control the Senate 53-47 but need the support of Democrats to reopen the government. It would take 60 votes to break a filibuster, meaning at least eight Democrats would need to vote yes because Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) is expected to vote no, according to the Washington Post.

The shutdown has continued to disrupt flights nationwide, threaten food assistance for millions of Americans and leave federal workers without pay. But many Democrats have warned their colleagues against giving in, arguing that they can’t end the fight without an agreement to extend the health subsidies.

It would be a “horrific mistake to cave in to Trump right now,” said Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who caucuses with the Democrats, as he walked into the caucus meeting Sunday.

Democrats have now voted 14 times not to reopen the government as they demand the extension of tax credits that make coverage more affordable for health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans have refused to negotiate on the health care subsidies while the government is closed, but they have so far been supportive of the proposal from moderate Democrats as it emerged over the last several days.

For those enrolled in health exchanges under that law, also known as “Obamacare,” premiums on average are expected to more than double next year if Congress allows the enhanced subsidies to lapse.

— with AP