In the United States, the longest government shutdown in recent history will end on its 40th day. Senators from both parties have agreed to a compromise that would secure funding for government work through the end of January and partially finance the government for the full year. The compromise also stipulates that state employees on leave will be paid and layoffs made during the shutdown will be cancelled. There are no plans to expand state subsidies for health insurance contributions; However, Republican leadership assured that it would come to a vote.
A breakthrough appeared to come from a Republican proposal to give some of the health care spending directly to households rather than using it to finance a one-year extension of Obamacare subsidies. Under the previous model, subsidies would flow to health insurance companies, which would use the funds to lower premiums so that consumers would pay lower monthly premiums.
At least 10 Democratic senators are ready to support a procedural motion that would advance a package of short-term spending and funding bills by the end of January, according to consistent media reports.
However, there are still several obstacles that need to be overcome. The agreement still needs to be approved by the DPR, which has not convened since September 19. House Speaker Mike Johnson had warned members earlier that he would give them 48 hours to return to Washington if the spending bill passed the Senate. That means the shutdown could not end until Tuesday at the earliest.
Until then, any senator can delay a vote. Based on their statements on social media, many left-wing politicians are dissatisfied with the compromise. At the same time, the pressure is mounting: air traffic is threatened with restrictions weeks before the most important travel time around Thanksgiving as air traffic controllers and security forces report sick more frequently. Many of them are unable to work long hours without pay and therefore take part-time jobs.
