US Senate Vote Fails Stopgap Funding, Federal Government Faces Shutdown

The U.S. Senate failed to pass a Republican-backed continuing resolution intended to prevent a government shutdown, leading to a federal funding lapse for the first time in nearly seven years. Democrats opposed the GOP measure because it did not reverse Medicaid cuts from President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" and failed to extend healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans rejected a Democratic plan to fund the government through October, resulting in a deadlock. The White House's Office of Management and Budget directed agencies to prepare for an orderly shutdown, which will impact hundreds of thousands of federal workers and essential services including military pay and air traffic control. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer blamed Republicans for refusing to negotiate on healthcare and other priorities, while Republicans, supported by President Trump, insisted the bill was a clean, noncontroversial funding measure. The shutdown’s duration remains uncertain as both parties maintain firm stances, with Democrats demanding policy changes tied to the funding bill and Republicans resisting those demands. This impasse underscores deep divisions in Congress over spending priorities and healthcare policy.