The "Schumer shakedown"

Senate stalls on funding bills as shutdown looms

The Senate shot down both Republican and Democratic proposals to keep the government funded, leaving lawmakers just days before a shutdown deadline. Without a deal, federal agencies risk closures starting Oct. 1 when current funding expires.

According to the Washington Examiner, neither party’s version of a temporary funding measure cleared the 60-vote threshold on Friday. The failed votes set up a high-stakes standoff, with the Senate not scheduled to reconvene until Sept. 29, just two days before the deadline.

The Democratic proposal would have extended funding through Oct. 31 while locking in enhanced health insurance subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act. The GOP version, which already passed the House earlier in the day, planned to fund the government until Nov. 21 but excluded the Democratic provisions, leading to rejection in the Senate.

Democrats insisted on permanent extensions of Obamacare subsidies, which expire at the end of the year.

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