A group of at least eight Senate centrist Democrats reportedly reached a deal with Senate GOP leaders and the White House to reopen the government in exchange for a future vote on extending enhanced Affordable Care subsidies, two sources with knowledge of the discussions confirmed to CNN Sunday (November 9) night.
The deal would include a new stopgap measure to extend government funding until January and be part of a larger package that would fully fund several top agencies. The agreement doesn't, however, include a guarantee from Republicans to extend the health care subsidies that have been the key focus of the disagreement between the two parties that led to the shutdown on October 1, but Democrats involved in the negotiations believe the House and Senate GOP leaders will eventually negotiate on a compromise in the coming weeks.
It's unclear whether the bill would pass the Senate or even make it on the House floor as of Sunday evening. The Senate is expected to vote on the beginning of the deal between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.
The deal was reportedly brokered between three former governors -- Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Angus King of Maine and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, as well as Senate Majority Leader John Thune and White House officials, according to CNN.
“Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will,” said Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, who represents federal workers within the state and supports the GOP's promise to give a future vote on the subsidies.
The government shutdown has reached 40 days, setting the record for the longest in American history. The previous record of 35 days was set during President Donald Trump's first of two non-consecutive administrations in 2019.