by Natalia Mittelstadt
Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a House-passed government funding bill in the chamber’s 13th vote on the measure, ensuring the government shutdown would continue.
If passed by a 60-vote majority, the bill will fund the government until November 21. This solution was defeated by a majority of 54 to 45 votes, The story was reported by the Hill news website. The government shutdown has reached its 28th day. One week into the current federal government shutdown, a record will be set for the longest federal government shutdown that occurred during President Donald Trump’s first term.
Only three members of the Democratic caucus voted for the bill: Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Angus King of Maine, an independent lawmaker who is debating with Democrats.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said before the vote that Republicans must negotiate an extension of expiring Obamacare health insurance subsidies to end the government shutdown. Obamacare’s open enrollment period begins Saturday.
“Republicans don’t even want to talk about fixing health care. Americans are on the brink of a health care crisis unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes,” Schumer said.
Lawmakers from both political parties also warned that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits would begin to expire on Saturday. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said over the weekend that the Trump administration would not have enough funds to cover military service members’ paychecks on November 15.
A warning on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website states that SNAP benefits will not be issued on November 1.
“We are approaching a turning point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to advocate for health care for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures, or reopen the government so mothers, children and the most vulnerable can receive the nutritional assistance they need” – USDA website says.
– – –
Natalia Mittelstadt is a reporter for Just the News. Zachery Schmidt is a digital editor Star News Network and contributed to this story.
