Oct. 28 (UPI) — The U.S. Senate voted for the 13th time and failed to reopen the government Tuesday.
Democrats won’t back down from their insistence on funding for health care, and Republicans won’t agree to it. The government shutdown is on Day 28.
Senators voted 54-45 on the funding patch that would fund the government until Nov. 21. It needs 60 votes to pass.
Three members of the Democratic caucus voted for the House-passed funding bill: Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa.; Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.; and Angus King, I-Maine.
The vote came a day after the largest labor union in the United States called on lawmakers to reopen the government. The American Federation of Government Employees represents 800,000 federal workers.
“Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight,” said Everett Kelley, president, in a statement.
Sen Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Republicans must begin negotiations on the health care issue.
“Republicans do not even want to talk about fixing health care,” The Hill reported that Schumer said. “Americans are on the brink of a health care crisis unlike we have seen in our lifetimes.”
Enrollment for marketplace health insurance plans begins Nov. 1. Without a subsidy extension, enrollees are expected to see much higher rates this year.
On Friday, military personnel will miss a paycheck. On Saturday, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will stop distributing funds to states, leaving hungry people without aid.
Some senators have discussed having votes on stand-alone bills that will help segments of people. Some Democrats have said they are willing to vote for legislation from Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., that would fund SNAP during the shutdown, Politico reported.
But Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters Tuesday that’s not true.
“There’s not a high level of interest in doing carve-outs, or so-called ‘rifle shots.’ I think most people realize the way to get out of this mess is to vote to open up the government.”
On Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported that air traffic controllers are feeling the strain of working but not getting paid. As many are calling out sick, flights are getting canceled.
On Friday, President Donald Trump reported that an anonymous donor has given $130 million to help pay military staff. But it’s not enough to pay them all, and its legality is in question.
