Happening now breaking news closer to a deal.

A handful of Democrats come to the table and the Senate advances a measure to end the shutdown.

Plus, the damage is done.

It's a travel nightmare coast to coast, thousands of cancellations and delays.

The big question this morning, when will things go back to normal?

Plus, a White House first first the former jihadist

turned Syrian president makes a truly historic visit to washington after taking control of the

country from bashar al-Assad and major league scheme two professional pitchers now charged it

in alleged sports betting and money laundering scheme.

Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world.

I'm Wolf Blitzer with Pamela Brown and you're in the Situation Room.

This is CNN breaking news.

And we're following the breaking news.

After 41 days, the longest government shut down in the nation's history could be almost over.

About an hour or so from now, the Senate is set to reconvene and could possibly vote on a measure that would ultimately reopen the federal government.

We got to this point after eight Democrats broke away from their party last night.

They voted with the Republicans on a deal to end the impasse.

And that has impacted so many aspects of American life from the kitchen table to the airport.

Now, I understand that not all of my Democratic colleagues are satisfied with this agreement,

but waiting another week or another month wouldn't deliver a better outcome.

It would only mean more harm for families in New Hampshire and all across the country.

CNN's chief congressional correspondent, Manu Rajas, of course, up on Capitol Hill.

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