WASHINGTON — The Senate took a first big step Sunday night toward ending the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown amid mounting pressure for Congress to act as Americans cope with halted food stamps and canceled flights weeks before the holidays.

On Day 40 of the shutdown, the Senate voted 60-40 to advance a deal to reopen the government after a group of eight Senate Democrats relented from policy demands and broke from their party ranks to strike an an agreement with congressional Republicans.

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