The U.S. government shutdown appeared close to ending after a group of centrist Senate Democrats agreed to support a stopgap deal to reopen key agencies and provide temporary funding. • Under the proposal, federal employees would receive back pay and states would resume delayed federal transfers. • The measure would fund certain departments through January 30, while others would receive full-year appropriations. However, the bill faces a tough path in the House. Democratic leaders have spoken out against the compromise, arguing it concedes too much to Republicans. At the same time, conservative GOP lawmakers are ... (full story)