The US Senate on Monday failed for the fifth time to approve funding measures to reopen the federal government, prolonging a shutdown that has already forced thousands of employees to work without pay or go on unpaid leave.
The two rival proposals by Democrats and Republicans both fell short of the 60 votes needed, deepening a standoff that has become centred on healthcare provisions.
The Democratic-led proposal to extend government funding was voted down first, receiving 45 votes in favour and 50 against. Shortly after, the Republican version also failed with a 52-42 vote. Both sides immediately blamed each other for the continued closure.
Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump warned that another failed vote would trigger mass layoffs across government agencies.
“I am happy to work with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our Government to re-open. In fact, they should open our Government tonight!” he posted on his Truth Social platform after the Senate votes.
The shutdown began five days ago when funding expired, leaving thousands of federal workers either furloughed or required to continue working without pay.
The White House has said permanent job losses are “imminent” if the deadlock drags on. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Office of Management and Budget has already started working with agencies on possible layoffs.
“We don't want to see people laid off. But unfortunately, if this shutdown continues, layoffs are going to be an unfortunate consequence of that,” she said, calling on Democrats to pass the funding bill. “There's nothing to negotiate. Just reopen the government.”
The political battle revolves around healthcare provisions. Democrats insist that any funding measure must include the protection of health insurance subsidies for low-income Americans and reverse cuts to Medicaid introduced by the Trump administration.
They argue that passing the Republican-led proposal as it stands would harm access to medical care for vulnerable groups.
Republicans, however, want a “clean” funding bill without healthcare provisions, arguing that healthcare reforms should be addressed separately once the government is back in operation. They have accused Democrats of using the shutdown to push for benefits for undocumented immigrants, a claim Democratic leaders reject.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said talks were ongoing with Democratic leaders on possible healthcare measures. “We have a negotiation going on right now with the Democrats that could lead to very good things. And I'm talking about good things with regard to healthcare,” he said.
But Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer quickly disputed Trump’s statement, posting a clip of the remarks on X with the caption “THIS ISN'T TRUE”.
Both parties’ congressional leaders appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday and traded blame for the stalemate. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of “lying” about Democrats’ negotiating positions “because they're losing the court of public opinion”.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson countered that Democrats were “not serious” and were negotiating in bad faith. “They're doing this to get political cover,” he said.
With neither side willing to back down, the shutdown is expected to continue, raising fears of permanent job losses and growing disruption to government services.