Washington, D.C. -- Furloughed government workers continued to gather in protest outside the Capitol Wednesday afternoon as the Senate came to an agreement to avoid a debt crisis and end the 16-day shutdown.

"I wanted to make sure that my voice was being heard. I'd like to get back to work so I'd like them to set a budget," said a furloughed government employee who has stood in protest outside the Capitol nearly every day since the shutdown began on Oct. 1.

"This is week three," said another protestor, "And we do hope that this is the last day."

After efforts by the House of Representatives failed to move forward Tuesday evening, a group of 14 bipartisan Senators helped push through a deal that was announced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on the Senate floor Wednesday morning.

"This is not the first deal that has passed in the Senate so I'm quite pessimistic about the whole thing," said one student from Georgetown University, as he left the Senate viewing gallery.

The Senate viewing gallery was full of tourists and Capitol visitors Wednesday as key players of the bipartisan deal spoke on the Senate floor, congratulating one another on reaching a compromise they were confident would pass in both chambers.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., stated via Twitter, "Little reason for celebration. Keeping doors open, paying bills is not a victory, it should be basic expectation of gov."

Many of the protestors standing outside the Capitol Wednesday afternoon seemed to know little of the latest agreement from the Senate. "We haven't heard details, but we have heard they reached a deal," said one protestor. "I am not confident in it, but I am hopeful."

As members of Congress entered the Capitol, protestors urged members not to let the government default on its debt. One protestor called on a member to "make the right decision."

Lawmakers continue to race against the clock as the Oct. 17 deadline looms. A vote was expected in the Senate tonight on the latest proposal.