U.S. Senate Democrats block Republican temporary funding bill again…prolonged shutdown inevitable

U.S. Senate Democrats have again blocked the Republicans' seven-week temporary funding bill, making it certain that the federal government shutdown (temporary work stoppage) will continue into next week.

On the 4th (local time), according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the Republican measure was defeated in the Senate vote, with 54 votes for and 44 against. Although the Republicans hold a 53-to-47 majority in the Senate, they fell short of the 60 votes required for passage.

In this vote, three Democrats voted in favor, but as in earlier votes the outcome did not change. The alternative bill proposed by the Democrats also made no progress due to Republican opposition.

Meanwhile, the federal government shutdown has put hundreds of thousands of federal employees on unpaid leave, and nonessential administrative services have been suspended. The White House has signaled it will announce additional layoffs and budget-freeze measures, increasing the level of political pressure on the Democrats.