In this Jan 21, 2018, file photo, lights illuminate the US Capitol on second day of the federal shutdown as lawmakers negotiate behind closed doors in Washington. (AP photo)WASHINGTON: The Senate voted early Friday to reopen the government and pass a $400-billion budget deal, handing the measure off to the House for a pre-dawn debate where success is not assured. Kentucky senator Rand Paul put the brakes on Senate leaders’ plan to drive the agreement quickly through the Senate, repeatedly blocking a Thursday vote and provoking colleagues’ frustration. House leaders hustled to move before federal employees were due back at work, hoping to minimise the disruption. Senate Democrats sparked a three-day partial government shutdown last month by filibustering a spending bill, seeking relief for "Dreamer" immigrants who’ve lived in the country illegally since they were children.

Source: Bangkok Post February 09, 2018 05:12 UTC