Senate Fails Both Stopgap Bills; Shutdown Imminent

The U.S. Senate failed Tuesday to pass either party’s stopgap funding measure in back-to-back votes, leaving a partial federal government shutdown likely to begin at 12 a.m. Wednesday. Both measures needed 60 votes; Democrats rejected the GOP “clean” continuing resolution because it did not reverse Medicaid cuts from the GOP “big beautiful bill” or extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Republicans rejected the Democratic plan and said healthcare subsidies should be negotiated separately. A small number of Democrats crossed to support the Republican measure, but neither bill cleared the 60-vote threshold. Leaders traded sharp accusations — Senate GOP leader John Thune accused Democrats of “hijacking” the process and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer demanded bipartisanship — and the Office of Management and Budget told agencies to prepare for an orderly shutdown. The shutdown could affect federal operations including military pay and air traffic control, and President Trump praised “beautiful paper,” celebrated his signature and criticized President Biden’s past use of an autopen.