Senate Democrats on October 20 once again blocked a Republican-led stopgap funding bill, rejecting the measure for the 11th time as the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, POLITICO reports.
The Senate voted 50–43 on the House-passed bill, which would have funded the government through November 21. Only two lawmakers—Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Independent Senator Angus King of Maine—broke ranks to support advancing the bill. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was absent from the vote.
Despite the deadlock, both Republican leaders and the White House expressed cautious optimism that the shutdown may soon end, following a series of public rallies dubbed “No Kings” over the weekend. However, Democratic lawmakers continue to deny that their negotiating stance is linked to the protests, and no breakthrough appears imminent.
In a tense prelude to the vote, Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) exchanged sharp criticisms on the Senate floor.
“Democrats have made it very clear that they don’t care about the costs of the shutdown to anyone,” said Thune. “Now that it serves their purposes to keep the government closed, they’re all for shutdowns.”
Schumer countered, accusing Republicans of inaction: “Republicans seem happy not to work, happy not to negotiate, happy to let health care premiums spike for over 20 million working and middle-class Americans.”
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators has been quietly discussing a post-shutdown legislative path, including a potential vote to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at year’s end. But the talks have made little progress amid the current impasse.
As pressure mounts, Republicans are pursuing alternative tactics to regain momentum. Last week, Thune introduced a Defense Department funding bill, which failed due to Democratic opposition. He is expected to reintroduce the measure in the coming days.
Additionally, Republicans plan to force a vote later this week on a bill that would guarantee pay for select federal employees and military personnel during the shutdown. However, Democrats are likely to block it over fears that it could give President Trump and White House budget director Russ Vought the authority to selectively pay favored employees while furloughing others.
Monday’s vote sets the stage for a high-stakes meeting Tuesday, as Senate Republicans are scheduled to visit the White House for a lunch with President Trump. He is expected to thank them for maintaining unity during the shutdown and for advancing his list of nominees.
