US Senate takes first step in bid to end government shutdown
發佈日期: 2025-11-10 23:37
TVB News
The US Senate took the first step to end the government shutdown on Sunday, after some Democrats agreed to proceed on legislation that would not guarantee extension of health care subsidies.
The agreement must be approved by the House and final passage could be several days away if Democrats object and delay the process.
As millions of Americans deal with flight delays and cancellations, a breath of hope from lawmakers of a breakthrough to end the government shutdown.
A group of moderate Democrats and Independent senators agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits -- the key divisive element that has kept the government in shutdown mode for a record 40 days.
In a test vote, the Senate approved 60-40 to move towards passing compromise legislation to fund the government and hold a later vote on extending health care subsidies that expire on January 1.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer voted against the passage, with his "rebel" party colleagues having to defend their actions.
Maine Independent Senator Angus King said: "Those of us here and those of us certainly participating in the Democratic caucus, are 100 percent committed to working on the issue of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) premium tax credits and preserving access to health care for millions of Americans.
"The question before us is, how is the best way to get there? And it was our judgement, after six weeks going on seven weeks of this shutdown, that that path wasn't working."
New Hampshire Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan said: "This agreement funds Snap and food assistance programmes, ensures that law enforcement, air traffic controllers and other federal workers get paid. Reverses the president's recent reckless layoffs and prevents them from happening in the future and, crucially, gives Congress a clear path forward to protecting people's health care."
The agreement, which must be approved by the House, includes a reversal of mass firings by US Pesident Donald Trump and ensure federal workers receive back pay.
Trump did not say if he supported the move, merely telling reporters on the south lawn that it looks like the end of the shutdown is getting closer but he doesn't know for sure.
Meanwhile, the number of air traffic controllers refusing to show up for work is increasing.
More than 2,800 flights have been cancelled, with over 10,200 delays, disrupting the travel plans of some four millions Americans.
The Federal Aviation Administration last week ordered flight cuts at some 40 major airports ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday on November 27th.
Controllers have gone unpaid for almost a month, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy telling Fox News that 15-20 are retiring every day and airports across the country are as much as 2,000 controllers short of full staffing.
