Senate breaks Democratic filibuster in key vote toward reopening the government

• Senate moves forward: The Senate has voted 60-40 on a key step toward reopening the government. The vote came after a critical group of eight Senate Democratic centrists 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.

• What happens next? There is more to come before the government can reopen. Any one senator can delay consideration of the package for several days, plus the House will have to return and adopt the deal struck in the Senate before it gets sent to President Donald Trump’s desk.

• Compounding impacts: The shutdown’s effects are being felt across the country. Ahead of the vote, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he believed air travel would be “reduced to a trickle” ahead of Thanksgiving. And the Department of Agriculture ordered states to stop issuing full food stamp benefits after a Supreme Court move.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said it “remains to be seen” when the Senate will be able to vote on final passage on a measure to reopen the government, though he hopes it passes early this week.

The Senate has adjourned until 11 a.m. Monday, and Thune made clear he would like to pass the measure tomorrow and send to the House for a vote right away.