Deal to end U.S. government shutdown ‘within reach’

A potential deal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history is reportedly “within reach” as lawmakers convened for a rare Sunday session on Capitol Hill, according to a report by Daily Mail.

The shutdown, now in its 40th day, has left millions of Americans facing delayed government services, suspended food aid, and disruptions across federal operations. Lawmakers are racing against time to restore normalcy as public frustration grows.

Sources cited by Daily Mail indicate that at least ten Senate Democrats are ready to back a package of bills aimed at reopening the government. The proposed deal reportedly includes a vote on extending Obamacare tax credits in December. Republicans have expressed cautious optimism but face the challenge of securing the 60 votes needed in the Senate to pass the funding measure.

The bill, still under negotiation, is expected to maintain funding at current levels through January, while providing full-year budgets for Congress, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, including military construction projects.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are leading discussions, with procedural votes anticipated once consensus is reached. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed reluctance to support measures without guarantees on healthcare provisions, highlighting ongoing contention over Affordable Care Act subsidies.

The shutdown has significantly impacted federal operations. Air travel faces major disruptions, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning of staffing shortages affecting flights at major U.S. airports. Over 42 million Americans also missed their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at the start of November, though some states, including Hawaii, have used federal block grants to provide emergency support.

Daily Mail reported that political tensions remain high, with some Democrats acknowledging that the hardships caused by the shutdown create leverage in ongoing negotiations. Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark described the situation as a difficult but politically significant moment for her party.

The House of Representatives has remained in recess since Republicans passed their funding bill, leaving the resolution of the shutdown largely in the hands of Senate lawmakers.

As negotiations continue, both parties face mounting pressure from the public to end a crisis that has already had wide-reaching economic and social consequences.