The Senate once again rejected a bill Tuesday evening that would have kept the government funded through Nov. 20.
Why it matters: The vote makes a government shutdown virtually inevitable.
- The final vote was 55-45, short of the 60 needed "yeses."
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) voted with Democrats against the measure, while Sens. John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Angus King (I-Maine) voted with Republicans.
Zoom in: The Senate also rejected Democrats' alternative stopgap spending bill proposal, which would extend Affordable Care Act enhanced subsidies and prevent President Trump from clawing back appropriated funds.
- The process for a government shutdown will be triggered at midnight.
- Another procedural vote on the House-passed continuing resolution is expected Wednesday.
Zoom out: Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has been under enormous pressure from progressives and outside groups to hold the line and force a government shutdown.
- On Monday, Axios scooped that he'd floated the idea of offering Republicans a 7 -10 day short-term spending bill to reopen the government — but even that was shot down by the left.
- Democrats have demanded bipartisan negotiations on health care priorities. The extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies is at the top of the list.
- Republicans have said they are willing to talk about ways to extend the subsidies, but not as part of any immediate funding deal.
