‘Getting Very Close To Shutdown Ending…’: US President Donald Trump | World News

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday (local time) that the government shutdown will end soon. The remarks came as CNN reported, citing two people familiar with the discussions, that a group of at least eight Senate Democratic centrists had reached a deal with Senate GOP leaders and the White House to reopen the government in exchange for a future vote on expanding Affordable Care subsidies.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “It looks like we’re getting very close to the end of the shutdown. We’ve never agreed to give any significant amount of money or money to illegal prisoners coming into our country, and I think the Democrats understand that, and it looks like we’re getting close to the end of the shutdown. You’ll find out very soon.”

According to CNN’s report, the deal would finally end the longest shutdown in US history and would include a new stopgap measure to extend government funding through January, tied into a larger package that would fully fund several key institutions.

Citing a GOP aide, CNN said the Senate is expected to vote on the deal between 8:30 and 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday.

It was also reported that at least eight Senate Democrats agreed to vote for the agreement struck Sunday night between three former governors — Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, King Angus of Maine and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, as well as Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the White House.

CNN noted that Republicans have no guarantees about extending the health care subsidies that are at the center of the funding fight; but Democrats involved in the talks believe House and Senate GOP leaders will negotiate a compromise in the coming weeks.

It was also stated that Senate Democratic leaders have not yet stated whether they support the agreement, and that the caucus met behind closed doors for several hours on Sunday night. But House Democratic leaders harshly condemned the deal.

CNN reports that House Democrats plan to hold their own caucus on Monday, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

The House is expected to accept the interim measure in the first vote by the Senate. This requires the support of eight Democrats to move forward. After that, the Senate will replace this bill with a larger funding package negotiated between the two parties.

If the bill passes the Senate, it will be sent to the House of Representatives for final approval and then to US President Donald Trump’s desk to reopen the government.

The whole process may take a few more days.