The Senate failed again on Friday to pass a stopgap funding measure, prolonging the partial government shutdown. The measure fell short in a 54–44 vote, unable to reach the 60 votes needed to advance. This marks the third failed attempt this week, and the fourth in two weeks, to pass a continuing resolution to reopen the government. With no deal in place, lawmakers left Washington for the weekend.
Several Democrats, including Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and John Fetterman, along with independent Angus King, crossed party lines to support the bill. Only one Republican, Senator Rand Paul, opposed it, citing his long-standing opposition to short-term funding. With the measure’s failure, Senate leaders postponed further action until Monday, extending the shutdown into the weekend.
President Trump welcomed the shutdown as a chance to reduce federal spending. His administration announced $8 billion in cuts to green energy projects, many located in states that supported his 2024 opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Additionally, major infrastructure projects in New York have been put on hold, adding political weight to the shutdown’s effects.
At the heart of the impasse are disagreements over healthcare provisions. Democrats want to include changes that would undo restrictions preventing certain immigrants from receiving Medicaid. Republicans argue these demands complicate a straightforward funding bill and accuse Democrats of using the shutdown to push unrelated policy changes.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer defended his party’s position, accusing Republicans of refusing to negotiate. He argued that Democrats are committed to protecting healthcare access for all residents and that the GOP’s repeated failures to pass their own plans show a lack of bipartisan strategy.
Some cracks have started to appear within party lines. The defections of Cortez Masto, Fetterman, and King show growing discomfort with the continued shutdown. Meanwhile, even some Republicans questioned the Democrats’ motives, suggesting internal confusion over their strategy.
