U.S. Senate Democrats on Friday voted down a Republican plan to temporarily fund the government, marking the fourth time the bill failed to pass. With a 54-44 vote largely along party lines, the shutdown is set to spill into the weekend.
Both sides were quick to point fingers 🤔. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) accused Democrats of "taking hostage the federal government and, by extension, the American people, who are the only losers in this."
On the other side, Democrats insist that funding talks must include extended subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and a reversal of Medicaid cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill. Senate Republicans say healthcare talks will wait until after the government reopens.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) slammed the GOP on X, saying, "The Republicans can reopen the government and make people's healthcare more affordable at the same time. Republicans are choosing to let healthcare costs go up for Americans across this country."
This shutdown, which began on Wednesday, is the first in nearly seven years. Tensions have flared as the Trump administration cuts projects supported by Democrats, dismantles federal agencies led by them, and threatens layoffs of federal employees.
As the weekend approaches, the stalemate continues. Will cooler heads prevail, or is the shutdown here to stay? Stay tuned for the latest updates.
Reference(s):
Senate Democrats block GOP bill, U.S. govt shutdown set to continue
cgtn.com
