Posted on 10/03/25
| News Source: The Hill
Senate Democrats voted for the fourth time Friday to defeat a House-passed bill that would fund the government through Nov. 21 and end the three-day government shutdown that has left tens of thousands of federal employees furloughed.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) failed to pick up any additional Democratic votes for the clean, seven-week funding measure, leaving the tally at 54-44. It needed 60 votes to pass.
Three members of the Democratic caucus voted to advance the bill: Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), John Fetterman (Pa.) and Angus King (Maine), an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
Cortez Masto, Fetterman and King voted twice previously for the bill, saying they wanted to avoid a shutdown that would hurt constituents and give more power to President Trump to cut agencies and fire federal employees.
Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) was the only Republican vote against it.
Republicans have promised to have a discussion with Democrats about extending enhanced health care premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that are due to expire at the end of the year, though Thune said he could not make any commitments. Democrats have demanded an extension be attached to the short-term funding bill.
Senate Republicans have also tried to sweeten a potential deal with Democrats by promising to move the regular appropriations bills if the government reopens, which would give Democrats a chance to pursue their funding priorities.