There are observations emerging that the US federal government shutdown, which has lasted for a record 40 days, could end soon, as reported on the 9th (local time).

Political news outlets such as The Hill and Axios, citing well-informed sources within the Republican Party, reported that up to 10 Democratic senators are expected to vote in favor of a short-term spending bill (CR) proposed by Republicans to end the shutdown.

Moderate senators like Jean Shaheen and Maggie Hassan (both from New Hampshire) are reportedly leaning towards ending the shutdown, given the disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and national airport operations caused by its prolonged duration.

Furthermore, Senators Jacky Rosen (Nevada), Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin), Mark Kelly (Arizona), Jon Ossoff (Georgia), Gary Peters (Michigan), and Dick Durbin (Illinois) have been engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations with Republicans to end the shutdown, and they are also classified as highly likely to vote in favor.

The specific details of the short-term spending bill to end the shutdown have not yet been disclosed, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of the Republican Party is known to have prepared an amendment to extend the deadline of the temporary budget from the current 21st of this month to the end of January next year.

Following a review of the amendment by Democratic senators, the 15th vote on the temporary budget bill to end the shutdown is expected to take place as early as this evening or on the morning of the 10th.

The previous 14 votes on the temporary budget bill have repeatedly failed because, despite the Republican majority (53 seats), they could not secure the 60 votes needed for the bill to pass.

If 8 to 10 Democratic senators vote in favor, as reported, the filibuster (legal obstruction of proceedings) would be ended, and the shutdown could come to a close with the passage of the temporary budget bill.

The U.S. Capitol in Washington. Yonhap News.

Yonhap News