Dhaka, Nov. 10 -- The US Senate on Sunday took the first step toward ending the nation's longest-ever government shutdown by advancing a stopgap funding bill.

In a procedural vote, eight Democrats broke ranks to support the Republican-backed measure, which would keep the government operating until January 30. The bill also provides funding for certain government functions, including food aid and the legislative branch, for the next year.

However, the plan does not guarantee an extension of expiring healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Centrist Democrats and Republicans agreed to hold a separate vote on the issue in December, a key priority for Democrats during the shutdown debate.

Al Jazeera correspondent Mike Hann...