Bill to End US Government Shutdown Clears Key Hurdle in Senate

A security person walks down the stairs at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, U.S., Feb. 8, 2018. Reuters/ Leah Millis

WASHINGTON–The U.S. Senate voted on Friday to move forward on legislation to end a government shutdown, after a single Republican lawmaker delayed the funding bill for hours to protest an expected increase in the U.S. deficit.

The procedural vote limited debate on a bill that would fund the government through March 23 and increase spending limits over a two-year period. Clearing the procedural hurdle is a key test of support for the bill and indicates likely passage in another Senate vote soon.