WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin , of Illinois, defended his vote to proceed with a measure that is likely to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

What we know:

Durbin was one of eight Democrats who agreed to end the shutdown in exchange for a promise from Republicans for a vote on extending subsidies for health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as "Obamacare."

The ending of subsidies was the main reason why Democrats initially refused to go along with keeping the government open at the beginning of last month.

"Donald Trump and the Senate Republican leadership were willing to do anything to reduce skyrocketing health insurance premiums—a terrible problem facing some 24 million American families," Durbin said on the Senate

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