The Senate late Sunday night passed the first stage of a deal that would end the U.S. government shutdown , which began on Oct. 1.

The procedural measure that allows other votes essential to the agreement to be held starting on Monday was approved with the bare minimum of 60 yes votes, after eight senators in the Democratic caucus broke with party leadership to support the deal. Forty senators voted no.

Voting was held open on the Senate floor for more than two hours to allow for the arrival of the final "aye" vote, cast by Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas, who flew to Washington, D.C., on Sunday evening for the proceeding.

Senators broke into applause when Cornyn walked in to vote for the measure, just before 10:50 p.m. ET.

The agreement, which was reached after round-the-clock nego

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