The end of the shutdown is in sight as some Democrats break from leadership to make a deal with the GOP

Jeff Bennett:

Welcome to the News Hour.

After 41 days, the longest government shutdown in US history is far from over, but the end may be in sight.

Amna Nawaz:

A group of Democrats and one independent crossed the aisle last night to make a deal with Republicans. It still needs final approval, but the government could reopen as soon as this week.

More by congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins.

Lisa Desjardins:

In the Senate today, it’s a matter of time, Majority Leader John Thune is pressing for speed.

Senator John Thune (R-SD):

Mr. President, after 41 days, I’m happy to say we’re one step closer to reopening the government. And again, I ask all of my colleagues on both sides of the bipartisan aisle to make it possible for us to pass this bill quickly.

Lisa Desjardins:

This is after last night’s hack.

man:

In this vote, the number of yeses is 60 and the number of noes is 40.

Lisa Desjardins:

The closing deal gets exactly the votes needed to get past the Senate hurdle. Seven Democrats and one independent voted with Republicans to support the idea.

Senator Angus King (I-ME):

Our judgment, after six weeks, and seven weeks into this lockdown, is that this path has not been successful.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada):

We can open the government and we can still fight to address the looming health care crisis.

Lisa Desjardins:

The deal is multifaceted. It funds most of the government through January 30, but some things like Veterans Affairs, SNAP, and Congress itself until next fall.

The deal eliminates thousands of mass layoffs ordered during the shutdown and prohibits more until at least February. But he did nothing about the end of health care subsidies, instead promising a Senate vote on the issue next month. For this reason, most Democrats, including Leader Chuck Schumer, strongly rejected it.

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York):

I cannot support the Republican bill on the table now, because it fails to do anything substantive to fix America’s health care crisis. We wanted to fix it. Republicans said no, and now it’s on them.

Lisa Desjardins:

This has been the longest federal shutdown in history. Last week, as air traffic controllers and TSA agents called in sick, thousands of flights were canceled, with social media picking up on one pilot’s plea this weekend.

man:

I don’t really care what your political persuasion is, but you should call your senator.

Lisa Desjardins:

More than a million federal workers were without pay, and some turned to food banks. Teresa Kim, a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, used her time to volunteer. This charity called Comfort Cases helps with children’s care. She wanted the lockdown to end, but as an ordinary citizen, she sees this deal in her word as a betrayal.

Theresa Kim, Certified Government Employee:

I do not consider it a victory when something is promised, even though it was already a law. And then when I hear stories like, we’re not going to have any more furloughs – or sorry – or RIFs until the end of January, again, I find that to be a low bar.

Lisa Desjardins:

All eyes remain on the Capitol Building, as lawmakers work to determine exactly when this shutdown will end.

I followed up today with a large number of other federal employees with whom I have been in contact. They are sharply divided. One of them told me, frankly, that this was the worst way, in her words, for Democrats to give up.

But another said this was 100% a smart move by the eight who defected. However, a third said their feelings on the matter were complex.

Amna Nawaz:

Lisa, I know you’re talking to your sources on Capitol Hill. When it comes to closing and agreeing to end it, what’s the latest?

Lisa Desjardins:

Yes, news happens.

Let’s take a look at the Senate floor. And that’s what we’re seeing at this moment, the senators’ vote. This is the moment we have been waiting for in the US Senate. This is a series of eight sounds. The Senate procedures are complicated, so they’re going to squeeze all that stuff. They’re able to speed this up because all the senators agreed.

This especially includes Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. He had a decision to make. Was he going to get this over with in a few days? He had an issue with the text about the cannabis industry in it, but agreed to let this move forward more quickly.

So what this means, Amna, is that we expect these votes to get through the Senate, and the whole deal through the Senate tonight. Then the House must pass it. We don’t expect the House to return until Wednesday. But if everything stays on track, and if members can return to the city by Wednesday night, this lockdown could end Wednesday night.

On Thursday, the government could be open for the first full days in more than a month.

Amna Nawaz:

Lisa, what about all the things that were disrupted during the lockdown, like air travel, as you mentioned? When can they return to normal?

Lisa Desjardins:

right.

Transport Minister Duffy said today it will take days and possibly a week for air travel to return to normal again. Now, for workers’ wages, that could flow more quickly. But as we saw with the DOGE unrest earlier this year, there could be some technical glitches because we’re talking about massive payment systems, not just for federal workers, but for things like Head Start and SNAP, all set up for a month.

So all of these things can start quickly, but we don’t know where there could be some problems. We also keep an eye on the Democratic Party, of course. There’s a lot of questions about Senator Chuck Schumer, and his leadership through this, but he’s going to have another chance because there’s going to be a vote on something, on health care in December, and that’s going to be the next test for Democrats in the Senate.

Amna Nawaz:

Well, Lisa Desjardins reports from Capitol Hill tonight.

Lisa, thank you.

Lisa Desjardins:

You’re welcome.