Democrats say they expect enough votes to end government shutdown, Trump expresses optimism

After more than one month of gridlock, the U.S. Senate appeared Sunday night on the cusp of a deal that would end the federal government shutdown, with a procedural vote set up to test if a coalition of Democrats has rallied enough breakaways to pass a stopgap spending bill.

Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with Democrats, emerged from a nearly three-hour meeting, expressing confidence enough Democrats would break with their party to reopen the government.

"That certainly is what it looks like," he told reporters.

President Donald Trump also expressed confidence the 40-day shutdown was poised to end.

“It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending.” Trump told a White House pool of reporters.

The deal would reportedly give back pay to many federal workers, but would not authorize the extension of enhanced subsidies through insurance companies for Obamacare, lawmakers in both parties said.

A coalition of around 10 Senate Democrats signaled that they will support moving forward with a package of three appropriations bills, coupled with a short-term funding stopgap through the end of January.  

The deal also reportedly includes a December floor vote on extending the expanded pandemic-era Affordable Care Act tax credits for one additional year as well as language aimed at reversing the federal layoffs carried out during the shutdown. 

Senators were asked to return to the Capitol for a rare weekend session, as the text of the proposed bills were released on Sunday afternoon.  

While negotiations are ongoing and no agreement has been finalized, the movement appears to be the most significant progress toward a bipartisan resolution that would reopen the government. 

If the Senate advances the measure, it would clear the way for a full vote.