US shutdown is over

THE United States Senate passed legislation on Monday to reopen the US government, bringing the longest shutdown in history closer to an end as a small group of Democrats ratified a deal with Republicans, despite searing criticism from within their party.

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The 41-day shutdown could last a few more days as members of the House, which has been on recess since mid-September, return to Washington to vote on the legislation. US President Donald Trump has signalled his support for the bill, saying on Monday that “we're going to be opening up our country very quickly”.

The final Senate vote, 60-40, broke a gruelling stalemate that lasted more than six weeks as Democrats demanded that Republicans negotiate with them to extend health care tax credits that expire in January.