The Republican-backed proposal, which would have funded the government through the end of November, was voted down on October 14 with 49 votes in favor and 45 against—short of the 60 votes required for passage.
Senator Rand Paul was once again the only Republican to oppose the bill, while Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Angus King broke ranks to support it. The vote underscores the deep partisan divide that has kept the U.S. government shut down for a third consecutive week, with neither side willing to compromise.
“I believe Democrats won’t be satisfied until military families and government workers are lining up at food banks, taking high-interest loans, or struggling to pay for essentials,” said Senate Republican Leader John Thune, accusing Democrats of being willing to keep the government closed “for several more weeks.”
The government shutdown, which began on October 1, was triggered after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a federal budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Around 750,000 federal employees have been furloughed, while another 4,000 were laid off on October 10 by the Trump administration. Essential workers are continuing their duties without pay until the government reopens.
Since 1981, the U.S. government has shut down 15 times, most lasting only a day or two. The longest shutdown occurred during Trump’s first term, stretching 35 days between 2018 and 2019.