The US Senate has passed a budget bill that could end the longest federal government shutdown in history.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.
The Senate on Monday endorsed a stopgap spending package until January 30 next year.
Democrats had been demanding an extension of health insurance subsidies. Republicans claimed that would provide healthcare coverage to undocumented immigrants.
But some Democrats joined Republicans in the vote after securing a provision to reverse the firings of thousands of federal workers by the administration of Donald Trump.
The partial government shutdown started on October 1 due to disagreements between both parties on the federal budget.
The shutdown will be ended if the package is also passed by the House and signed into law by President Trump.

Quiz 1:
Which of the following statements best describes the current status of the budget bill?
A. The budget bill has been vetoed by the President.
B. The budget bill has been passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives.
C. The budget bill is still under discussion in the Senate.
D. The budget bill has been signed into law but not yet implemented.

Quiz 2:
Who among the following groups had been demanding an extension of health insurance subsidies?
A. Republicans
B. Democrats
C. Federal workers
D. Undocumented immigrants

Quiz 3:
What was the reason given by Republicans for their opposition to extending health insurance subsidies?
A. It would provide healthcare coverage to federal workers.
B. It would provide healthcare coverage to undocumented immigrants.
C. It would increase the federal budget deficit.
D. It would lead to an extension of the government shutdown.

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: A (The budget bill has not been vetoed yet, but it needs to be passed by the House and signed into law by President Trump.)
Quiz 2: B (Democrats had been demanding an extension of health insurance subsidies.)
Quiz 3: B (Republicans claimed that extending health insurance subsidies would provide healthcare coverage to undocumented immigrants.)