U.S. 'shutdown' may get longer… temporary funding bill rejected for the 10th time

The U.S. federal government's shutdown has gone beyond two weeks, and the Senate brought a temporary funding bill to a vote to end the shutdown but it was rejected again. It is already the tenth rejection.

On the 16th (local time) in the Senate floor session, the temporary funding bill introduced by Republicans was defeated with 51 votes in favor and 45 against. The Democrats cast opposing votes, failing to secure the 60 votes needed to pass the bill.

The Democrats insist they cannot agree to any budget bill until they discuss extending subsidy payments for the health insurance program Obamacare (ACA). Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized on the floor, "The Obamacare crisis is hanging over everyone's head, and the Republicans seem ready to send premiums skyrocketing."

Republican Senate floor leader John Shun countered, "With each passing day, more Americans are receiving less pay," arguing that Democratic opposition is causing the shutdown to be prolonged. He suggested that "the issue of extending Obamacare subsidies could be put to a separate vote later," but added, "I cannot guarantee the result."

As the two parties have struggled to find common ground, signs point to a prolonged shutdown. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been placed on forced unpaid leave. The Donald Trump administration is reported to have begun laying off more than 10,000 civil servants as a result of the shutdown.

Reporter Im Dayeon allopen@hankyung.com