Lawmakers reach deal to end government shutdown

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers reached a deal on Sunday to end the longest-ever government shutdown, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

A group of Senate Democrats struck an agreement with congressional Republicans and the White House. At least eight Democrats are in favor of the negotiated deal, which includes reversals of federal layoffs, a promised vote in the future on Obamacare subsidies, and fully reopening the government through Jan. 30.

It was the first time in more than a month that congressional Republicans succeeded in persuading a sizable number of their colleagues across the aisle to join them in supporting a shutdown off-ramp.

The government isn’t reopening yet — lawmakers in Congress still have a winding logistical road before they can actually turn the lights back on.

But a test vote on Sunday, Nov. 9, marked arguably the most significant turning point in a monthlong political crisis that has left millions of Americans unable to travel, afford food, or send their kids to preschool (among many other rapidly mounting consequences).

Key dates to watch

• This week: Proposals to reopen the government will start to work their way through both chambers of Congress.
• Thanksgiving: Congressional leaders have indicated the shutdown will be over by the holiday. Sunday’s agreement made that assertion much more likely.
• Second week of December: The Senate will hold a vote on extending expiring Obamacare subsidies. It’s unclear if such a measure would pass.
• Jan. 30: The short-term funding measure lawmakers plan to pass this week would turn the government’s lights back on until Jan. 30. If more full-year appropriations bills aren’t passed by then, the government could shut down again, though only partially.

What happens next?

Now that some Democrats have signaled new support for reopening the government, Congress has to clear a number of procedural hurdles.

When the new funding deal passes the Senate, which could take several days, the bills will then have to pass the House of Representatives, which hasn’t taken a vote in weeks. Lawmakers in the House have been on a 48-hour return notice, so it would likely take several days (barring any travel issues lawmakers might experience) for them to pass any Senate bills.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, indicated last week he didn’t think the shutdown would last past Thanksgiving.

What’s in the deal?

The agreed-to deal would reopen the government until Jan. 30. It would also include full-year funding for several agencies and programs, including food aid and veterans’ benefits. Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, would continue through September at higher levels.

Another component of the agreement includes a commitment to a vote in the second week of December on a bill to potentially extend expiring Obamacare subsidies. The tax credits, which millions of Americans rely on for help paying premiums, have been the issue at the center of the shutdown fight.

In addition, the deal will reverse the layoffs of thousands of federal workers, while barring any potential firings until Jan. 30. The terminations have been temporarily barred by a federal court.