WASHINGTON (AP) — 12:55 p.m.
It looks like the government shutdown will end soon.
The Senate has advanced a bill reopening federal agencies through Feb. 8 after Democrats relented and lifted their blockade against the legislation.
The shutdown began Saturday after Democrats derailed a Republican measure that would have kept government open until Feb. 16. Democrats wanted to pressure the GOP to cut a deal protecting young immigrants from deportation and boosting federal spending.
Moderates from both parties pressured leaders to end the shutdown and compromise.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats agreed to back the bill reopening government after he and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to begin debating an immigration bill by Feb. 8.
The Senate vote was 81-18 — well above the 60 votes needed. The Senate still must vote on final passage to send the bill to the House.
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The United States Senate is voting to end the government shutdown that began Saturday, January 20 at midnight. The proposal funds the government until February 8, 2018. The vote is happening now, but more than enough senators have voted to advance the bill ending the shutdown.
Prior to the vote, Senator Chuck Schumer spoke on the floor of the Senate, saying that Democrats and Republicans had come to an agreement that would allow both sides to vote to re-open the government. Schumer says the agreement with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell means the Senate will begin a debate on immigration by February 8.