US Shutdown Nears End, But Political Drama Not Over
The United States government is reportedly on track to reopen after a group of moderate Democratic senators agreed to support a temporary funding deal. The plan would reopen some government agencies and provide paychecks to hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal employees. However, this deal is only temporary, as some agencies will only receive funding through January 30th.
President Donald Trump called the signs of the shutdown ending good news, but the process could still be hampered. The Senate will hold a test vote on Sunday, requiring unanimous approval from all members to expedite the government's reopening. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would give lawmakers two days to return and vote.
Despite the bright spot, the path to a full agreement remains bumpy. House Democrats have rejected a bill that would not extend Obamacare subsidies, while Republicans want government funding through the end of September. Democratic leaders like Hakeem Jeffries have made it clear their party will oppose the GOP bill in the House.
The longest shutdown in US history has lasted more than 40 days, costing the economy an estimated $15 billion per week. The impact is widespread—from thousands of employees going without pay, delays in crucial economic data, to major disruptions in the transportation sector ahead of the holiday season. While the end is in sight, the political battle in Washington appears far from over. (asd)
Source: Newsmaker.id
