Democrats and Republicans fail in agreement and the government shutdown continues
GOP bill falls short again as shutdown end remains elusive amid Democrats' demands
Attempts by Democrats and Republicans to find stopgap funding failed again, so the federal government shutdown affecting more than 1.3 million workers across various state agencies will remain in place until the next vote.
In a vote of 52 to 42, the short-term bill Republicans' push to fund the government through November 21 fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to advance the measure.
Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Cathrine Cortez Masto of Nevada voted in favor, as did independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with the Democrats. The same three Democrats voted for the bill last week.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the lone Republican to oppose it.
With both sides refusing to budge on their demands, the shutdown is likely to continue through this week.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, said early Monday that they will keep voting on the same bills competing over and over again.
It was the fifth vote on the measure since September 19. All of the votes fell short of the 60-vote threshold.
The bill would fund the government through October 31 and make permanent tax credits that help people cover premiums for health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. The subsidies expire at the end of the year.
Trump hints at health care subsidies
Ahead of the vote, Donald Trump said he would be open to reaching a deal with Democrats on the health care subsidies they have made central to the shutdown fight, slightly opening the door to negotiations that Republicans have said should only happen after the government reopens.
But Trump also said “billions and billions” are being wasted, nodding to arguments by conservatives who don't want health care subsidies extended to lower the cost of plans offered under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.
“We are negotiating with the Democrats that could result in very positive results,” Trump said. “And I mean positive results in the area of ??health care.”
Trump's comments were one of the few hopeful signs Monday as the government shutdown entered its sixth day. Negotiations between the two parties have been virtually nonexistent since the start of the shutdown, despite the impact on federal services. Democrats have urged Trump to get involved, saying a deal won't be possible without the president's approval.

