WASHINGTON — The Senate took a significant step on Sunday toward ending the ongoing government shutdown. A coalition of moderate Democrats agreed to advance legislation without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, a decision that has sparked frustration among many party members. In a preliminary vote, the Senate approved a motion to proceed with a 60-40 tally. This vote is part of a series of procedural steps needed to pass a compromise bill aimed at funding the government and scheduling a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, which are set to expire on January 1. However, final approval may take several days if Democrats choose to delay the process. The current agreement does not ensure the extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies, which Democrats have been advocating for over the past six weeks. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York opposed the motion, joining nearly all of his Democratic colleagues in voting against it. The breakthrough came from three former governors: Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, and Independent Angus King from Maine. They agreed to support the advancement of three bipartisan spending bills and extend government funding until late January, in exchange for a mid-December vote on health care tax credits. Additionally, the agreement includes provisions to reverse mass layoffs of federal workers initiated by the Trump administration since the shutdown began on October 1, ensuring that federal employees will receive back pay. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed support for the deal, emphasizing the urgency of the situation as the shutdown has disrupted air travel, threatened food assistance for millions, and left federal workers unpaid. “The time to act is now,” Thune stated. President Donald Trump, returning to the White House after a football game, did not explicitly endorse the deal but remarked, “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending.” In addition to the three senators who broke the stalemate, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia also voted in favor of the agreement. Other Democrats, including Senators Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Jacky Rosen, supported the motion. Despite expectations of broader Democratic support, only five Democrats switched their votes, which was the exact number needed for the Republicans to proceed. The vote faced a temporary delay as three conservative Republican senators, Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Ron Johnson, initially withheld their votes. They ultimately voted in favor after discussions with Thune and Trump. Another Republican, Senator John Cornyn, returned from Texas to cast the crucial 60th vote. After a lengthy Democratic caucus meeting, Schumer stated he could not support the proposal in good faith, emphasizing that Democrats have raised concerns about health care. “We will not give up the fight,” he asserted. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders criticized the decision to move forward without a health care extension, calling it a “horrific mistake.” Senator Chris Murphy echoed this sentiment, noting that voters in recent elections expected Democrats to remain steadfast. The agreement marks a shift from the Democrats' previous stance, as they had voted 14 times against reopening the government without a commitment to extend health care tax credits. While Republicans have been reluctant to negotiate on health care, some GOP leaders have been collaborating with moderates to shape the agreement. The proposed legislation includes bipartisan funding for various government sectors, including food aid and veterans programs, while extending other funding until the end of January. This extension allows lawmakers additional time to finalize spending bills. House Democrats quickly criticized the Senate's actions. Representative Greg Casar of Texas described the deal as a “betrayal” of Americans relying on Democrats to advocate for health care. “Accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isn’t a compromise — it’s capitulation,” he stated. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries placed the blame on Republicans, asserting that they are responsible for the current situation. As the shutdown continues, its effects are becoming increasingly severe. Airlines canceled over 2,000 flights on Sunday, marking the first significant disruption since the shutdown began, with more than 7,000 delays reported. Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air travel could be drastically reduced ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday if the government remains closed. Food assistance programs are also facing delays, impacting millions of Americans. The Capital Area Food Bank in Washington reported a nearly 20% increase in meal distribution compared to previous years, as they prepare to support the growing number of federal workers affected by the shutdown.