Senate Democrats voted for the 12th time Wednesday to block a House-passed bill to reopen the government and fund it through Nov. 21.
Democrats blocked the funding measure — a tidy, continuing resolution that would extend Biden-era funding levels — after liberal Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) spoke on the Senate floor for nearly 23 hours to protest President Trump’s first nine months in office.
Democratic colleagues applauded Merkley’s demonstration of defiance before the vote on the Republican-drafted funding bill.
The bill failed by a vote of 54 to 46. It took 60 votes to advance.
Only three members of the Democratic caucus voted to reopen the government: Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), John Fetterman (Pa.) and Sen. Angus King (Maine), an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) was the only Republican to oppose the measure.
Democrats who blocked the House-passed bill say they will not fund the government until Trump and Republican leaders in Congress negotiate the expiration of increased health insurance subsidies, GOP cuts to Medicaid and the administration’s moves to claw back previously approved funds.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have repeatedly rejected Democrats’ calls to negotiate health spending levels while federal departments and agencies remain closed.
The repeated failure of the House-passed funding bill in the Senate has led Republicans in the House to debate it Opportunity to close a funding gap that would last until December 2026.
Even if Democrats suddenly changed course and voted for the House’s upcoming funding measure, it would only keep the government funded until the Friday before Thanksgiving.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) told Bloomberg TV on Wednesday that the House could pass a up-to-date resolution that would be effective until Dec. 1, 2026.
Thune told reporters on Tuesday that the likelihood of passage of the regular annual appropriations legislation in 2025 is decreasing by the day as the shutdown lengthens.
“I think the longer these guys drag this out, the harder it will be to find a way [to] Do it the old-fashioned way,” he said.
He said passing the regular budget legislation was “clearly the preferred method and outcome.”
Emily Brooks contributed.
