WASHINGTON: The US Senate on Tuesday failed to move forward on a Republican-backed bill to end a government shutdown now stretching into its 14th day, leaving federal operations stalled and hundreds of thousands of workers without pay.
The House-passed measure, which sought to fund the government through November 21, fell short in a 49–45 vote — well below the 60-vote threshold needed to advance.
Most Democrats and a handful of Republicans opposed it, underscoring the deep partisan divide that has paralyzed Congress.
Senators Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and independent Angus King of Maine broke ranks to back the bill, while Republican Rand Paul voted against it. Majority Leader John Thune also voted “no” to preserve the option of reconsideration. Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who had supported similar measures previously, did not cast a vote.
The prolonged impasse has led to furloughs across federal agencies, forcing some employees to work without pay while others remain on unpaid leave. Although not an immediate economic crisis, analysts warn the shutdown is compounding uncertainty around the world’s largest economy and eroding public confidence in Washington’s ability to govern.
