Bill to Reopen the U.S. Government Fails Again in the Senate, Extending Federal Shutdown

US Senate rejects budget bill again

Federal government shutdown continues

Dispute centers on Obamacare funding

The budget bill to reopen the US government failed once again this Wednesday in the Senate, lacking the necessary support to move forward. The defeat prolongs a federal shutdown now entering its third week, affecting thousands of public workers nationwide.

The proposal required a minimum of 60 votes to advance but was rejected 51–44, marking the ninth failed vote since the standoff began.

Republicans hold 53 seats in the upper chamber and needed at least seven Democratic votes to reach the threshold — a goal they failed to achieve once again.

Shutdown drags on with no end in sight

The budget bill to reopen the U.S. government was rejected for the ninth time on Wednesday due to an ongoing lack of bipartisan agreement between Republicans and Democrats.

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More at https://t.co/BjdELZkpfR pic.twitter.com/g1ggfHFKts

— Joaquín López-Dóriga (@lopezdoriga) October 15, 2025

Five senators were absent from the US budget bill vote.

Democrats John Fetterman (Pennsylvania) and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada) once again broke ranks to support the Republican-led measure.

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Independent senator Angus King (Maine) also voted in favor.

Meanwhile, Republican Rand Paul (Kentucky) voted against his own party’s proposal, underscoring internal divisions within the GOP.

The ongoing stalemate has revealed deep fractures not only between parties but also within Republican ranks.

Budget bill offered only short-term funding

The U.S. government shutdown 2025 has begun to impact the nation’s economy and essential services.

The federal government shutdown in the United States is now beginning to be felt in the real economy. With no political agreement in sight, the country enters its third week of institutional paralysis… pic.twitter.com/Xp2qwzzto6

— CATERINA (@Caterin49788702) October 15, 2025

The new US budget bill, already passed by the House of Representatives, sought to extend federal funding until November 21.

However, Democrats rejected the short-term extension, insisting on a broader agreement addressing long-term fiscal and healthcare priorities.

The main sticking point remains the future of Obamacare subsidies, set to expire this year.

Democrats demand the extension of these healthcare benefits, arguing that millions of low- and middle-income Americans depend on them.

Republicans oppose the measure, accusing Democrats of wanting to divert benefits to undocumented immigrants, a claim that the opposition strongly denies.

This healthcare dispute has been the core issue blocking any bipartisan deal.

Impact of the 2025 US government shutdown and White House response

The partial shutdown began on October 1 and has now lasted more than two weeks without resolution.

Thousands of federal employees remain unpaid.

So far, at least 4,100 layoffs have been reported across multiple federal agencies as a direct result of the lack of funds.

However, a federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily blocked further layoffs during the shutdown, adding a new legal dimension to the political crisis.

The effects of the federal shutdown have also reached the US Armed Forces.

As of Wednesday, payments were due for 1.3 million active-duty service members, but the lack of a budget threatened to halt their pay.

To prevent that, President Donald Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use available Pentagon funds to ensure the payments were made.

Despite the emergency measures, the budget crisis remains unresolved.

No new date has been set for another Senate vote, leaving Washington in a state of uncertainty.

The ongoing US government shutdown 2025 highlights the deep political polarization in the country, with growing economic consequences and no immediate path to reopening federal operations.