End to US government shutdown in sight as Democrats quarrel / Photo: Mandel NGAN - AFP
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End to US government shutdown in sight as Democrats quarrel
The longest-ever US government shutdown appeared headed Monday to an eventual resolution, after several Democratic senators broke ranks to join Republicans in advancing a compromise deal -- sparking intra-party backlash.
Since October 1, the first day of the shutdown, more than a million federal workers have been unpaid, while government benefits and services have been increasingly disrupted.
Severe impacts on air traffic have begun to mount in recent days, with hundreds of flights canceled daily, raising the political pressure to end the stalemate.
After clearing a key procedural hurdle late Sunday, the Senate was expected to pass the compromise budget late Monday or overnight.
The bill will then move to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which could vote on it as early as Wednesday to send it to President Donald Trump's desk.
"It appears to us this morning that our long national nightmare is finally coming to an end, and we're grateful for that," House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Monday morning.
"At least some Democrats now finally appear ready to do what Republicans and President Trump and millions of hardworking American people have been asking them to do for weeks."
The House -- which Johnson has kept out of session throughout the standoff -- would be called back this week, he said.
- Obamacare -
At the heart of the budgetary impasse is Democrats' demand to extend health insurance subsidies expiring at the end of the year. Republicans insist any negotiation occur after the government is re-opened.
Millions of Americans who have purchased health insurance through the "Obamacare" program would see their costs double if the subsidies are not extended.
Sunday's breakthrough agreement would re-open the government through January, with some programs funded for the full fiscal year, and reverse some of the Trump administration's firings of federal workers.
The bill notably would restore funding for the SNAP food aid program, which helps more than 42 million lower-income Americans pay for groceries.
While Republican leadership has agreed to hold an eventual vote on healthcare, it does not ensure the insurance subsidies will be extended.
"After 40 days of uncertainty, I'm profoundly glad to be able to announce that nutrition programs, our veterans, and other critical priorities will have their full-year funding," Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Sunday night.
While leaders were rushing to move the bill through Congress, it could still take days to make its way to Trump's desk. Tuesday is a national holiday in the United States.
- Divided Democrats -
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, one of eight Democratic Caucus members who backed the measure, said the Senate "took a big step forward towards protecting the health care of tens of millions of Americans."
She said the agreement would grant Democrats, despite being in the minority, the power to call a vote on healthcare legislation.
However, with the extension of the subsidies not guaranteed, the move has angered party members who preferred to keep holding out.
"Pathetic," wrote California Governor Gavin Newsom on X in reaction to the announced agreement.
Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer voted against the measure, saying he could "not in good faith" support a measure "that fails to address the health care crisis."
"This fight will and must continue," he vowed.
Some lawmakers criticized Schumer himself for failing to keep the Democrats united.
"Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership," Massachusetts Representative Seth Moulton said Sunday in a post on X.
R.Vercruysse--JdB
