Trump Says US Government Shutdown May End Soon, Hints at Breakthrough in Talks

Washington, Nov 10 : US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that the government shutdown could soon come to an end, signalling progress in bipartisan negotiations between Senate leaders and the White House.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending. We never agreed to give any substantial money, or any money to prisoners, illegals that come into our country, and I think the Democrats understand that. You’ll know it very soon.”
His remarks came after CNN reported that a group of at least eight centrist Senate Democrats have reached a tentative deal with Senate GOP leaders and the White House to reopen the government in exchange for a future vote on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies.
According to the report, the proposed agreement would end the longest government shutdown in US history and include a stopgap funding measure to keep the government running until January. It would also be tied to a broader package aimed at fully funding key federal agencies.
Citing a Republican aide, CNN said the Senate is expected to vote on the deal between 8:30 and 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday.
The negotiations reportedly involved three former governors Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and Angus King of Maine alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the White House.
While the deal does not guarantee an immediate extension of health care subsidies, Democrats involved believe that GOP leaders will engage in further negotiations on a compromise in the coming weeks.
Senate Democratic leaders have yet to officially back the agreement and held closed-door discussions late Sunday to decide their stance. Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders have criticised the deal, planning their own caucus meeting on Monday, CNN reported.
The Senate is expected to first take up the House-passed stopgap measure, requiring support from at least eight Democrats to advance. Once amended with the bipartisan funding package, the bill will be sent back to the House for final approval and then to President Trump’s desk to officially reopen the government.
If approved, the legislative process could still take several days to complete, but officials and lawmakers expressed cautious optimism that the shutdown might finally be nearing its end.