India, Nov. 10 -- The US Senate has taken the first step towards ending a government shutdown on Sunday, November 9, after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to go ahead without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies. The government funding bill passed the Senate after nearly two hours of voting.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said it "remains to be seen" when the Senate votes on final passage on a measure to reopen the government. He said he hopes it passes early this week, according to CNN.

The shutdown started on October 1 when the Senate failed to agree on spending priorities. Democrats, since then, have voted as many as 14 times not to reopen the government. They demanded the extension of tax credits that make coverag...