WASHINGTON, Nov 10 (KUNA) -- The US Senate advanced a bill to partially fund the government by a majority of 60 votes in an attempt to end the 40-day government shutdown.
The Senate vote was 60 to 40 with eight Democrats voting in favor of the bill, as an initial step for the final voting process aimed at funding the federal government and ending the shutdown.
The shutdown affected the jobs of tens of thousands of federal employees and led also to delays and cancellations of flights in the majority of airports in the US.
Reports indicated that the advancing of the bill came after Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate and the White House agreed to reopen government, while a separate vote would be held later to extend healthcare support, a matter supported by the Democrats but a point of contention for the Administration of President Donald Trump.
Some 14 Democrats voted against reopening of the government due to demands to extend tax credits largely facilitating health insurance within the "Affordable Care Act." The government shutdown is the longest in US history, surpassing the 35-day shutdown during Trump's first term.
The Congressional Budget Office predicted that the shutdown would cause losses to GDP amounting to between USD seven to 14 billion.
The shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass the annual or periodic budget, leading to a partial halt in the federal government activities as well as unpaid work for employees. Some workers are forced to go on unpaid leave. (end) amm.gta