The Senate's rejection of a Republican-backed stopgap funding bill intensifies concerns over a potential government shutdown, with just two weeks left to find a solution.
The U.S. Senate blocked a Republican-led bill to temporarily fund the government through November, with a 44-48 vote, failing to meet the required 60 votes. The proposal's rejection increases the chances of a government shutdown unless a new plan is devised in the next two weeks. The House had previously passed the bill, but several Republican senators were absent during the Senate vote. Notably, Senators Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski opposed the bill within their party, while Democrat John Fetterman voted in favor.