Senate Struggles to Secure Votes to End US Government Shutdown

The U.S. federal government shutdown has persisted into its sixth day, with the Senate failing to secure the 60 votes needed to pass a stopgap funding bill. Senate Republicans, who control the chamber, have struggled to gain the eight Democratic votes necessary to overcome a filibuster, with only a few Democrats breaking ranks so far. The key sticking point remains Democrats' demand for a permanent extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, which Republicans want to address separately from funding. No significant negotiations have occurred between Senate leaders, leaving rank-and-file senators, especially a few retiring Democrats like Jeanne Shaheen and Gary Peters, in the spotlight as potential dealmakers. The House has canceled its session, focusing attention on the Senate, while the shutdown threatens layoffs of approximately 750,000 federal employees. Meanwhile, heightened tensions over troop deployments in Oregon have added to the volatile political environment in Washington.