Twelfth vote fails to end U.S. government shutdown

According to the American news outlet The Hill, the prolonged federal government shutdown has now reached a critical stage, as Republican leaders have openly called for serious discussions on major procedural changes to break the stalemate.

Some Republicans are reportedly seeking to amend or eliminate the filibuster rule — a move that would allow short-term budget bills to pass without the current 60-vote threshold in the Senate.

This internal Republican debate reflects the growing pressure within the party as the shutdown enters its fourth week.

The Hill adds that as Democrats continue to insist on funding for healthcare programs, Republicans are considering a potential “Plan B” or alternative proposal.

The ongoing shutdown has now become the second-longest budget-related government closure in modern U.S. history. The longest occurred in late 2018 and early 2019, lasting 35 days.

The prolonged shutdown has deepened the blame game between Democrats and Republicans, each accusing the other of creating the impasse. The shutdown’s effects are gradually surfacing — with federal food assistance programs such as SNAP expected to run out of funds within the next two weeks, putting additional pressure on low-income households.