Senate Fails to Advance GOP Funding Bill for 9th Time as Government Shutdown Enters Day 16
WASHINGTON - The Senate on Wednesday failed for the ninth time to advance a House-passed measure aimed at funding the government, prolonging a partial federal shutdown that began October 1, 2025. The 53-47 vote fell short of the 60 votes required to overcome a Democratic filibuster, leaving the two parties at an impasse with no immediate end in sight.
The repeated failures to reach a funding agreement mark the 16th day of a shutdown impacting numerous federal agencies and services. While essential services continue, hundreds of thousands of federal employees remain furloughed, and programs ranging from national parks to scientific research face disruption. The core disagreement centers on spending levels and policy riders attached to the funding bills,with Democrats opposing republican demands for deep cuts and conservative provisions.
Senate Majority Leader John thune is pursuing an alternative strategy, scheduling a vote on the full-year Defense Department appropriations bill, with a potential procedural vote slated for Thursday. This move represents a shift from previous attempts to pass a short-term continuing resolution and aims to pressure democrats, who have expressed support for working through the regular appropriations process. Thune stated last week he was prepared to hold votes on standalone bills to fund parts of the government, including defense, as the shutdown persists.
Despite Republican hopes of gaining Democratic support,the House-passed funding measure has not garnered any additional votes from across the aisle since the shutdown began. Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Angus King of Maine (an independent who caucuses with Democrats) have been the only Democrats to support the bill. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky remains the sole Republican opposed. To overcome the 60-vote threshold, Republicans require support from Democrats, a challenge that has so far proven insurmountable.
