The US Senate has once again blocked a Republican plan to reopen the federal government, leaving the shutdown now in its 14th day.
Tuesday marked the eighth Senate vote on a Republican bill aimed at funding government operations through November 21. The measure failed with a 49-45 tally, far short of the 60 votes required to advance. No senators changed their votes from previous attempts, though a few were absent.
The deadlock comes as federal agencies continue to furlough workers. Last week, layoffs began at several government offices, intensifying pressure on Congress to resolve the impasse.
Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized the Trump administration for approving a large bailout for Argentina amid the shutdown. He called the move “a slap in the face” to US families, arguing that the administration has funds for foreign aid but claims it cannot reduce healthcare costs at home.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune countered that Democrats were holding government funding “hostage” by insisting on extending expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. If the tax credits lapse, millions of Americans could face higher insurance premiums. Thune accused Democrats of political gamesmanship and said their strategy was flawed.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not negotiate with Senate Democrats while the government remains closed. Johnson defended the Trump administration’s decision to redirect Pentagon funds to ensure military personnel receive their paychecks.
“If the Democrats want to go to court and challenge troops being paid, bring it,” Johnson said, defending the plan to use unspent defense research and development funds for service members’ salaries. The Pentagon confirmed that troops would receive their October 15 pay using these reallocated funds, avoiding the need for a separate military pay bill.
Trump emphasized on TruthSocial that he would not let Democrats “hold our military, and the entire security of our nation, HOSTAGE” during the shutdown. The move followed his order for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to secure funding for military salaries over the weekend.
Johnson has maintained that the administration has the legal right to redirect defense funds, while Democratic lawmakers continue to question the legality of the move. He also blamed Schumer for the ongoing stalemate, accusing him of blocking a House-passed “clean” continuing resolution to satisfy the party’s progressive wing.
The speaker insisted that the Republican stopgap funding bill contains no partisan priorities. “I don’t have anything that I can take off of that document to make it more palatable for them,” Johnson said, highlighting his strategy of pressuring Senate Democrats to accept the plan without changes.
Critics argue that Johnson’s hardline approach has left the House in extended recess and delayed votes, while praising from the House Freedom Caucus contrasts with concerns from some Republicans about the lack of negotiation.
More than 4,000 federal employees have been laid off during the shutdown, according to the American Federation of Government Employees. Senators representing states with high concentrations of federal workers, including Maryland and Virginia, condemned the dismissals.
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland called the situation “all part of the Trump 2025 playbook” and urged leaders to stop attacking employees and negotiate to reopen the government.
As the deadlock continues, federal agencies remain closed, millions of workers stay furloughed, and Congress shows little progress toward resolving the crisis.
