Senators on Wednesday rejected the House-passed stopgap spending bill for the ninth time, bringing a government shutdown one step closer to lasting into next week as the impasse deepens.
The Senate voted 51-44 in favor of the proposal, which would provide funding for the government through the end of November. It took 60 votes to move forward.
The balance sheet has not changed compared to previous votes. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Angus King (I-Maine) all voted Republican again.
Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) remained the only Republican to vote no.
The vote took place on the 15th day of the shutdown with MPs I barely feel any movement in that direction a resolution.
Democrats continue to insist that a solution to expiring expanded health care subsidies must be found by the end of the month. Republican leaders say they will not negotiate the loans until the government returns to power. And both sides acknowledge that the other is firmly entrenched.
“Democrats show no sign of being ready to stop,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said in remarks, noting that issues such as military pay and flood insurance have not swayed the minority party from its stance.
“No, the Democrats are entrenched,” he continued. “And all those Americans living in uncertainty? Well, they’ll just have to wait until the Democratic left base is satisfied.”
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the talks had yielded no results as the key date for enrolling in open health insurance, Nov. 1, was far away.
“As we speak, families are receiving letters about their new health insurance plans, and more states are opening their window shopping period to learn what health insurance will look like next year,” Schumer said on the floor. “With open enrollment just around the corner, Republicans can’t keep doing this. It’s happening now.”
“The health crisis is now – the public agrees, Democrats agree, the White House privately admits it, even some Republicans in Congress know it’s the truth. And yet, especially Republican leaders [Speaker Mike Johnson] – keep digging in,” he said.
