Fifth try, still no deal; Washington deadlocked again

Two opposing proposals to fund the federal government and end the shutdown were voted on Monday (local time) but both failed to pass in the Senate.

Neither the Democratic nor Republican plans managed to reach the required 60-vote threshold.

Donald Trump had previously warned that if the next vote failed, mass layoffs would follow.

Thousands of federal employees were recently placed on mandatory leave or forced to work without pay after agency budgets expired.

The Democratic-led funding bill failed by a vote of 45–50, while the Republican proposal was rejected 52–42.

Immediately after the vote, Trump took to social media to blame the Democrats for the federal government shutdown.

Senate Republicans have sought to win Democratic support for the House-passed funding measure, which would keep the government running through November 21. However, Democratic leaders have insisted that any funding bill must include an extension of healthcare tax credits.

House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled this week’s House sessions, saying there was “nothing left to negotiate” and that the House had already done its job.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer argued that the shutdown can only be resolved through a meeting between congressional leaders and the president.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump told Newsmax: “The Democrats are controlled by the far left — it’s ridiculous. They never should have shut down the government.”

The U.S. president said he believes progress is being made toward ending the government shutdown.