Senate Democrats block stopgap funding bill, setting up government shutdown

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats rejected a stopgap funding bill once again on Tuesday, setting the stage for a government shutdown just after midnight.

The bipartisan bill approved by the House sought to keep the government funded at existing levels through November 21, but it was five votes short of overcoming a 60-vote filibuster, with three Democrats supporting the measure.

“We’re starting to see fractures within the Democratic caucus,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) stated to reporters, noting that Catherine Cortez-Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Angus King of Maine crossed party lines to vote with 52 Republicans in favor of the funding bill.

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the sole Republican opposing the short-term funding bill.

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget informed heads of federal departments and agencies to prepare for a shutdown following the failed vote.

OMB Director Russ Vought noted in a memo that it was evident “Democrats will prevent the passage of this clean [continuing resolution] by 11:59 PM tonight, leading to a government shutdown.” He instructed agencies to commence preparations for an organized shutdown.

Vought attributed the failed vote to the “unreasonable policy demands” of Democratic senators, expressing uncertainty on how long they would maintain this position, which could extend the shutdown’s duration.

The OMB head emphasized that federal employees should still “report to work for their next regular schedule to carry out organized shutdown procedures.”

Following the funding bill vote, the Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Thune indicated that Democrats would have another chance to back the funding measure on Wednesday to avert the shutdown.

“I’m optimistic that a reasonable number of Democrats will join us,” Thune commented during a Fox News appearance. “We managed to secure three votes tonight… and we’ll be voting again tomorrow.”

“Hopefully, we will gain more support and ultimately get enough votes to keep the government running,” he added.

Thune also suggested that it is likely Senate Democrats will begin to waver, recognizing that continuing in this manner is detrimental.

Cortez-Masto, one of the Democratic senators who voted in favor, explained that her decision was driven by concerns that a “costly shutdown” would adversely impact her constituents and potentially grant the Trump administration “greater power.”

“We require a bipartisan solution to confront this looming healthcare crisis, and we shouldn’t trade the suffering of one group for another,” the Nevada senator stated.

“My priority is safeguarding healthcare for working families, and I urge my colleagues from both parties to collaborate on addressing this issue,” she emphasized.

Earlier, Thune reminded that during the Biden administration, most Democrats had supported measures similar to the one Republicans proposed currently to maintain government operations.

“This is routine. We passed short-term continuing resolutions 13 times when Chuck Schumer was the majority leader, with Republican support,” Thune reiterated during a Tuesday morning CNBC appearance.

The last government shutdown occurred for 35 days between December 2018 and January 2019, stemming from a confrontation between President Trump and Democrats over funding for a wall along the southern border.

This time, Democrats rejected the funding bill as it did not include key healthcare provisions, such as ObamaCare subsidies scheduled to expire at the end of 2025 or halt significant cuts to foreign aid.

However, this shutdown may result in the potential layoff of thousands of federal employees, contrasting the typical furlough approach.

OMB Director Vought had previously issued a memo to agencies last week detailing plans to prepare for Reductions in Force (RIF).

“Once fiscal year 2026 appropriations are enacted, agencies should update their RIFs to only retain the minimum number of employees necessary for statutory functions,” Vought clarified in his memo, noting that layoffs would take effect after a 60-day period.

Republicans have also adopted tactics frequently employed by Democrats during shutdowns, targeting Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) for jeopardizing benefit programs and possibly compromising public safety.

“Personnel won’t receive their payments; TSA agents, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition program) services will be disrupted; and FEMA won’t be operational. With two hurricanes approaching the United States, this is a grave situation,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on CNBC.

In March, Schumer had described potential shutdowns as “10 times worse” than passing a divisive funding bill.

“At times as a leader, you have to take actions to avert a significant danger looming ahead,” he stated previously.

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Schumer also cautioned against a September 2023 shutdown, highlighting the potential impact on New York, home to 70,000 federal employees, 30,000 military personnel, and 400,000 food stamp beneficiaries.

“A shutdown would undermine troop readiness and devastate border security, a point conveniently overlooked by our counterparts who profess to care about it,” Schumer noted during a similar debate in September 2023. “Small businesses would struggle to secure financing; homebuyers could not obtain loans; supply chain disruptions would escalate costs for American families.”

“The unfortunate truth is that Democrats are leading us into a shutdown by voting against government funding, as Chuck Schumer faced significant backlash earlier this year from the far-left for approving funding,” asserted Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in a statement Tuesday.

“Until Democrats reverse their harmful actions that are negatively affecting American families and workers, I am withholding my pay and co-sponsoring measures to ensure our servicemen and women and law enforcement receive their salaries,” she remarked.

Trump further ridiculed Democratic congressional leaders post-meeting by sharing an AI-generated video on his Truth Social, depicting Jeffries as he silently stands next to Schumer advocating for “free health care for illegal immigrants.”

Jeffries: “Bigotry will get you nowhere. Cancel the Cuts. Lower the Cost. Save Healthcare. We are NOT backing down,” he responded via his X account to the mocking clip.

Almost all but two House Republicans had voted in favor of the legislation to fund the government, which was sent to the Senate on September 19 but failed to gain necessary support for passage.

Only one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, supported this funding bill, while the rest of his party voted against it.

According to a New York Times/Siena poll published Tuesday, approximately 65% of registered voters were against a government shutdown “even if [Democrats’] demands are unmet.”

Among registered Democrats, 43% also opposed the idea of a shutdown, even in the absence of concessions from Republicans.

A notable 59% of independent voters similarly disapproved of a shutdown regardless of circumstances, along with 92% of Republicans.

During a government shutdown, lawmakers remain on payroll, but appointed officials determine which agencies, employees, and services are classified as “essential,” including roles in military and national security.

The 2019 shutdown concluded partly due to public concerns regarding passenger safety from overworked air traffic controllers.

Despite the potential disruption, Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare payments will continue as usual, while the U.S. Postal Service will maintain mail delivery. However, national parks and Washington, D.C. museums are expected to close.

The Smithsonian Institution, which oversees 21 museums and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., stated it will utilize “prior-year funds available” to remain operational until at least October 6.