After forty long days of gridlock, the Senate finally blinked. Eight Democrats crossed over Sunday to help Republicans push a deal aimed at reopening the government, breaking a standoff that’s dragged on for more than a month. The plan ties together several bipartisan spending bills with a temporary funding measure that would keep the lights on through the end of January.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune says it’s a realistic step toward ending the shutdown, and promised Democrats a vote later on their healthcare concerns.
The plan still needs approval from the House before it can reach President Trump. Lawmakers say the goal is to buy time for full budget talks instead of another stopgap fix. But progressives like Bernie Sanders say giving in now is a mistake, warning that it sends the message that the White House can strong-arm Congress anytime it wants.
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