⏰ It's crunch time in D.C.! After Tuesday's late-night session, the Senate failed to secure the 60 votes needed for a short-term spending bill. That means a federal government shutdown takes effect at midnight—the first in nearly seven years. 😬
On one side, Senate Democrats blocked the Republican proposal, pushing for extended Affordable Care Act subsidies and expanded coverage for immigrants, including refugees and asylum seekers. On the other, Republicans argued for keeping current funding levels while ironing out details. 🤝
The blame game is in full swing. President Trump accused Democrats of wanting a shutdown by insisting on "free healthcare" for undocumented immigrants. "This is going to be their fault," he said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer fired back on X: "This is Trump's shutdown. He owns it." 🗯️
Why does it matter? Services could stall, and thousands of federal workers might get furloughed. Shutdowns also hit wallets—Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget warns they "waste money" by paying workers not to work and delaying services. 💸
Keep your eyes peeled this week: Senate Republican Leader John Thune says there'll be another vote on the House-passed bill soon. Can negotiators lock in a deal before the shutdown drags on? Stay tuned for updates! 📲
Reference(s):
U.S. government braces for shutdown as Senate blocks spending bill
cgtn.com
