After five tense weeks, the U.S. Senate has reached a bipartisan deal to end the longest-running government shutdown. Lawmakers voted 60 to 40 to move forward on a funding bill. This was made possible after eight centrist Democrats struck the deal with Republican leaders and the White House. They agreed to reopen the government in exchange for a future vote on Affordable Care subsidies. The plan still needs House approval, and a single senator could delay the process for days.. However, it’s the strongest signal yet that the shutdown’s end is in sight. Meanwhile, the impact is still rippling across the country....literally from coast to coast.... Air travel remains snarled and food aid remains frozen as Americans hope Washington finally gets back to work. If the deal holds, it could reopen the government before Thanksgiving... Thus, giving weary federal workers and travellers the break they’ve been waiting for.