The US Senate has moved to advance a crucial measure aimed at ending the 40-day government shutdown, the longest in the country's history, that has sidelined workers, delayed food aid, and disrupted air travel.

On Sunday night, the Senate voted 60-40 on the key procedural measure following an agreement between a group of moderate Democrats, Republican leaders, and the White House to advance the plan, even without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies -- a decision that has sparked a rift among some Democrats.

After the vote, the measure will now go through additional procedural steps before being sent to the President for approval.

Republican leaders have planned to amend the bill to include a full-year funding package, agreed upon with moderate Democrats, while offering tempo

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