A bipartisan agreement was signed in the US Senate ending the federal government shutdown and extending funding through January 30. The firestorm hit eight Democratic senators who broke group lines and voted in favor of the agreement. The agreement also includes rehiring federal employees laid off during the government shutdown. Negotiations continue on the most controversial measures, including health care reform. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration. This will allow air traffic to return to normal, which risks total paralysis in the next few hours.
