The US Senate failed once again to end the federal government shutdown on Thursday, marking the tenth unsuccessful attempt to pass a short-term funding bill. A separate vote to approve Pentagon funding also collapsed, preventing any immediate move to restart military operations.
The deadlock ensures the shutdown will stretch into next week, with lawmakers expected to leave Washington for the weekend. The repeated failures highlight widening political divisions, as only a handful of Democratic senators supported the $852 billion defense spending bill that had earlier received bipartisan backing in committee discussions.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune offered Democrats a guarantee of a future vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies in exchange for reopening the government. However, progressive leaders, including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, rejected the offer, insisting on concrete legislation rather than promises.
The prolonged standoff has left federal employees without pay for weeks, heightening public frustration. Many affected workers have voiced fears about missed rent payments and food insecurity, while political leaders continue to trade blame with no clear resolution in sight.
