The US Senate started its final votes Monday evening on a plan to open the government again, bringing hope to end the longest shutdown in history. This big step comes after a few Democrats made a deal with Republicans to get things moving. But the fight isn't over yet, as the House of Representatives has to come back from break to vote too. President Donald Trump said, "we're going to be opening up our country very quickly," showing his support for the bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the process might take "hours not days," and Speaker Mike Johnson urged lawmakers to return to Washington "right now" because travel delays are slowing things down. Johnson also promised an official call for the House session once the Senate clears the bill. The journey wasn't easy. Moderate Democrats agreed to reopen the government without a sure promise of extending health care subsidies. Many Democrats were upset because these subsidies, part of the Affordable Care Act tax credits, are set to end Jan. 1. Thune assured a vote on the subsidies in mid-December but warned there's no guarantee it will pass. In an early sign of the battle, the Senate voted 47-53 along party lines Monday not to extend these subsidies for a year. Republicans allowed this vote as part of their deal with Democrats to speed up the whole shutdown-ending process. The deadlock broke when three former governors turned Senators—Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, and Independent Angus King from Maine—agreed to advance three bipartisan annual spending bills. This move extended the rest of the government's funding until late January. Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia and a few others like Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Jacky Rosen joined them. These moderate Democrats switched their votes against the bigger Democratic group led by Chuck Schumer, who said after a long meeting with his caucus, he "could not 'in good faith' support it." Schumer warned that Democrats "will not give up the fight" on health care and have now "sounded the alarm." Independent Senator Bernie Sanders called giving up the fight a "horrific mistake," and Senator Chris Murphy reminded that voters want Democrats to "hold firm." House Democrats criticized the Senate move too. Greg Casar, leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called the deal a "betrayal" to millions relying on cheaper health care. Yet, some in the House, including leader Hakeem Jeffries, showed support for Schumer and praise for his leadership during these tough days. The deal also cancels the mass firing of federal workers done by the Trump administration during the shutdown. It protects workers against layoffs through January and ensures they get paid after the shutdown ends. As the Senate races to finish votes tonight, the whole country waits with bated breath. Will this deal bring back normal life, or is more drama ahead? Stay tuned!