Senators on Wednesday spurned the House-passed “clean” stopgap spending bill for a ninth time, putting the government shutdown a step closer to lasting into next week as the impasse deepens.
The Senate voted 51-44 on the proposal, which would fund the government through late November. Sixty votes were needed for it to advance.
The tally didn’t change from previous votes. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Angus King (I-Maine) all once again voted with Republicans.
Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) remained the lone GOP “no” vote.
The vote took place on Day 15 of the shutdown, with lawmakers sensing little movement toward a resolution.
Democrats continue to insist that a fix is needed on expiring enhanced health care subsidies by the end of the month. GOP leaders maintain they’ll only negotiate on the credits once the government reopens. And both sides acknowledge that the other is entrenched.
“Democrats show no sign that they’re ready for it to end,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said in floor remarks, noting that issues such as military pay and flood insurance have not moved the minority party off its stance.
“No, Democrats are dug in,” he continued. “And all those Americans living in uncertainty? Well, they’re just going to have to wait until Democrats’ far-left base is satisfied.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), meanwhile, said talks have gone nowhere with the key Nov. 1 date for open health insurance enrollment looming in the distance.
”As we speak, families are receiving letters for their new health insurance rates, and more states are opening their window-shopping period for what health insurance will look like next year,” Schumer said on the floor. “With open enrollment around the corner, Republicans cannot continue to kick this can down the road. It’s happening now.”
“The health care 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, Republican leaders — especially [Speaker Mike Johnson] – continue to dig in,” he said.
