WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — Maine’s two U.S. senators supported the Senate’s first step Sunday toward ending the weeks-long government shutdown , despite objections from most Democrats, who argued the chamber should continue to hold out for a firm health care guarantee.

The Senate voted 60-40 to advance a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and schedule a December vote on extending Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which are set to expire Jan. 1. Final passage could take several days.

Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, was one of three key moderates — along with New Hampshire Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan — who helped broker the deal after six weeks of stalled negotiations. King said the ongoing shutdown was hurting Americans more than co

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