Washington- The historic traffic jam is coming to an end! On Monday evening, the US Senate approved a financial package intended to end the longest shutdown in the country’s history.
Senators voted 60 to 40 in favor of the legislation — nearly all eight Democrats joining Republicans. Only one Republican voted against it. The package plans to return to fully funding the government by the end of January.
The vote came on the 41st day of deadlock after a deal was reached at the weekend. The Democratic defection made it possible to overcome a crucial procedural hurdle – a breakthrough that had been stalled for weeks.
Now the DPR still has to approve it. They have not voted on the budget since September 19 but are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday. After that, the President can Donald Trump (79) signed the bill – and the shutdown would officially end.
Millions of people hope the mandatory break will end
Public life in the US has been partially paralyzed for weeks. More than a million civil servants are unpaid and 42 million Americans are no longer eligible to receive food assistance (SNAP). Airports were understaffed and more than 2,000 flights had to be canceled on Sunday alone.
“We seem to be getting closer to the end of the shutdown,” he said Trump already on Sunday evening. And at the same time emphasized: “We will never agree to give large amounts of money – or any money – to illegal immigrants coming to this country.”
The new agreement stipulates that laid-off federal employees will get their jobs back. Additionally, food stamp funding will be guaranteed through 2026. Similar blockades must be prevented in the future.
Democrats have previously blocked Republicans’ stopgap solution — they want guaranteed health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. However, the pressure on both parties recently has been enormous. Millions of Americans now hope that the political stalemate is finally over – and the country can get back on its feet.
