U.S. Senate Republican leader: "Agreement to end shutdown imminent"

With the U.S. federal government shutdown still ongoing, attention is focused on whether an agreement could be announced in the near future.

On the 10th (Korean time), the Kobeissi Letter reported via X (formerly Twitter) that Senate Republican Whip John Thune said "an agreement to restart the U.S. government is 'almost ready.'"

That day, U.S. political outlets The Hill and Axios, citing sources, also reported that up to 10 Democratic senators are expected to vote in favor of the Republican short-term spending bill (CR, continuing resolution).

Centrist senators such as Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan are said to have concluded that ending the shutdown is necessary due to the halt of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for low-income people, federal employee pay delays, and disruptions to flight operations caused by a prolonged shutdown.

The specific details of the continuing resolution to end the shutdown have not yet been disclosed. However, Senate Republican Whip John Thune is reported to have prepared an amendment to extend the deadline of the continuing resolution from the current 21st of this month to the end of January next year.

After Democratic senators review the amendment, the 15th vote on the continuing resolution to end the shutdown is expected to take place as early as that evening, or on the morning of the 10th.