The shutdown began on 1 October — with 670,000 federal government employees furloughed or left with no choice but to work without pay. More than 40 million Americans have also had to go without food aid.
An end to the longest US government shutdown in history is one step closer.
Legislation has been formally approved by the Senate by 60 votes to 40 after Democrats and Republicans teamed up to strike an agreement.
However, the bill will still need approval from the House of Representatives — and be signed off by President Donald Trump.
On Monday morning, Senate Majority Leader John Thune had urged politicians to work together to break a stalemate that had lasted for more than 40 days.
