WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader John Thune pleaded with colleagues on Friday to "end these weeks of misery" as many Democrats pledged to vote against reopening the government until President Donald Trump and Republican leaders negotiate with them on an extension of health care benefits.

A small group of Democrats has been negotiating with Republicans on a deal that would end the shutdown . But the contours of that agreement would only come with the promise of a future health care vote, rather than a guarantee that Affordable Care Act subsidies are extended by the end of the year. Many Democrats say that's unacceptable.

It's a frustrating dynamic for Republican leaders, who only need five additional votes to fund the government.

"The time to act is now," Thune said in his opening

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