Senate takes first step toward ending the government shutdown

"A group of three former governors - New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine - broke the six-week stalemate on Sunday when they agreed to vote to advance three bipartisan annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January in exchange for a mid-December vote on extending the health care tax credits."

"The agreement also includes a reversal of the mass firings of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown began on Oct. 1 and would ensure that federal workers receive back pay. Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly endorsed the deal and called an immediate vote to begin the process of approving it as the shutdown continued to disrupt flights nationwide, threaten food assistance for millions of Americans and leave federal workers without pay."

The Senate voted 60-40 to begin moving toward compromise legislation to fund the government while holding a later vote on Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire Jan. 1. A group of three senators from New England agreed to advance three bipartisan spending bills and extend remaining funding until late January in exchange for a mid-December vote on the tax credits. The agreement includes reversing mass firings of federal workers and ensuring back pay. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer opposed the move, and final passage could be delayed if Democrats object.

Read at Boston.com