Senate leaders announced today that they have reached a last-minute agreement to end the 16-day government shutdown. The shutdown, which went into effect on October 1st, caused many government offices to close, including the Department of Labor, resulting in delays or even lapses in normal services.
The Senate deal would reopen the government, funding it through January 15th. It would also raise the debt limit until February 7th.
The deal still awaits approval by the House, but House Democrats, following the lead of the Minority Leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, are expected to support it. Congress is trying to push the vote through by the end of today in order to avoid a potential default on payment of the national debt.