The US Senate has taken a major step toward ending the longest government shutdown in American history, after eight Democratic senators broke ranks to back a bipartisan deal aimed at reopening the federal administration.

The compromise plan — negotiated by Senate Democrats, Republicans, and the White House — passed a procedural vote on Sunday night with a 60–40 majority, clearing the way for a final vote later this week.

If approved by both chambers of Congress, the deal would reopen the government and fund it until the end of January, reversing recent lay-offs and ensuring that furloughed federal workers receive back pay. In return, Democrats agreed to a concession on healthcare tax credits, one of the main sticking points in the six-week funding impasse.

US President Donald Trump, speaking late Sunday on the 40th day of the shutdown, said he was optimistic: “It looks like we are getting close to the shutdown ending. You’ll know very soon.”

The deal represents the first real breakthrough in a crisis that has paralysed public services, disrupted air travel, and threatened to halt welfare benefits for millions of Americans.

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, one of the Democrats who voted with Republicans, said the agreement would “protect federal workers from baseless firings, reinstate those who have been wrongfully terminated, and ensure they receive back pay.”

However, the move revealed deep divisions within the Democratic Party, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries both opposing the deal. Jeffries warned that the compromise “fails to address the healthcare crisis” caused by expiring tax credits and pledged to fight the bill in the House.

The shutdown began on October 1 after lawmakers failed to agree on a funding package for the new fiscal year. The prolonged standoff has strained federal services, with the Federal Aviation Administration reducing flight numbers and more than 2,700 flights cancelled on Sunday alone.

Economists have warned the shutdown could push the US economy into negative growth if it continues. Early market indicators on Monday reflected optimism following the Senate vote, with S&P 500 futures up 0.7% and Nasdaq 100 futures rising 1.2%.