The Senate now has enough Democratic votes to reopen the government after a 40-day shutdown, after a rare Saturday session yielded little progress despite mounting pressures.
A group of centrist Democrats led by Sens. Angus King (Maine), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), negotiated the deal to reopen the government Sunday night with Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
King said it became increasingly clear that Republicans were not going to agree to a deal to reopen the government and extend enhanced health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act that are due to expire in January.
The effects of the shutdown have intensified in recent days. On Sunday, the Trump administration instructed states to “undo” efforts to distribute Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to over 40 million Americans amid the shutdown.
And after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered reduced air travel at dozens of major airports, more than 1,000 flights were canceled on Saturday for the second consecutive day.
President Trump also went to a Sunday evening NFL game featuring the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions, according to pool reports.
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