Time - Senate Democrats on Friday voted to block a Republican stopgap spending measure that would keep the government open through late November, setting up a perilous showdown with just days before federal funding lapses and no clear path to prevent a partial shutdown.
The 44-to-48 vote came only hours after the House narrowly approved the same measure on a 217-to-212 tally, with all but one Democrat opposed and two Republicans breaking ranks. The House bill would have extended government funding at current levels until Nov. 21, while providing $88 million in additional security funds for Congress, the courts, and the executive branch in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. It also allowed Washington, D.C. to resume spending its own local funds, after Congress voted in March to block the district from using $1 billion in funds the district had already budgeted.
But in the Senate, where Republicans needed at least seven Democrats to join them, Democrats held firm over their demands on health care and domestic spending. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the lone Democrat to vote with a majority of Republicans in favor of the bill. Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky were the only Republicans to vote against it.
The deadlock leaves Congress and the federal government in limbo. Both chambers are set to leave Washington for a recess pegged to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. While the Senate is expected to return on the eve of the Sept. 30 deadline, the House is not scheduled to be back until Oct. 1. House Speaker Mike Johnson has hinted Republicans may stay home in their districts through the end of the month, effectively daring Senate Democrats to accept the House-passed measure or take the blame for a shutdown.
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