Senate passes bill to fund the government

The longest federal shutdown in American history could end this week, after an interim measure to fund the government passed the Senate.

Democrats have for weeks refused to support any spending bill that does not extend soon-to-expire Affordable Care Act tax credits. But several Democratic senators changed their tune Monday, as eight joined all but one Republican for a 60-40 vote on a stopgap bill to keep federal money flowing through January. It also would reinstate federal workers laid off during the shutdown and ensure retroactive pay, as per The New York Times.

The measure now needs approval from the House, as well as President Trump’s signature. House representatives, who have not held a vote since passing their own stopgap bill in September, were set to vote on it Wednesday evening