Washington: The United States Senate has taken a major step toward ending the federal government shutdown that has stretched into its sixth week. Lawmakers from both major parties agreed to move forward with a bipartisan funding deal aimed at reopening federal offices and restoring pay to thousands of affected workers.

The shutdown began on October 1 after Congress failed to approve new spending bills. It disrupted several key government services, including food assistance programs and public employee operations, and caused growing pressure on both parties to find a solution.

The new deal, which advanced in the Senate, would keep the government funded until the end of January. It includes provisions to pay back federal employees for the weeks they were furloughed and to restore suspende

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