WASHINGTON — The federal government is one step closer to reopening after the Senate passed a new funding measure Monday.

The House will begin votes on the measure Wednesday afternoon, which could bring an end to the longest shutdown in American history.

Alabama Republican Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville voted for the bill to end the shutdown that has now lasted more than 40 days. Seven Democrats and one independent joined Republicans to make the deal possible with a vote of 60-40.

“(I’m) elated for the people of Alabama and the people across the country for the end of the shutdown to be in sight,” Britt, who has been at the center of bipartisan negotiations, told Alabama Daily News in an interview.

In a social media post, Tuberville said the “American people have suffered long

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