Seven Democrats and one Independent (Angus King) stepped across party lines on Nov. 9 to agree to a negotiated deal, which includes reversals of federal layoffs , a promised vote in the future on expiring Obamacare subsidies , and fully reopening the government through Jan. 30.

That means the government shutdown , which started Oct. 1, may be nearing an end after 40 days - the longest continuous shutdown in U.S. history. The stopgap bill passed with a 60-40 vote.

The senate will reconvene Monday Nov. 10 for a series of votes that likely will lead to the government reopening later this week.

Why did the government shut down?

Lawmakers have been deadlocked over healthcare funding and tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, that expire at the end of

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