The upper house of the United States parliament failed its eighth consecutive attempt to pass a funding resolution to end the partial government shutdown, which entered its 14th day.
Tuesday afternoon’s vote in Washington resulted in a 49-45 vote, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance.
The US Senate (upper house of Congress) met on Tuesday to vote on a Republican proposal, approved by the House of Representatives (lower house), to finance the government, temporarily, until November 21st.
Democrats voted overwhelmingly against the proposal because they insist on negotiating the expansion of health benefits, which expire this year.
Republicans insist on passing the bill as is, refusing to sit at the table, arguing, without evidence, that the health care program known as Obamacare benefits undocumented immigrants.
Six senators did not vote, including John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, one of three Democrats who had supported the GOP-backed bill in recent votes.
It is not yet clear when the Senate might try to move forward with the bill again. The holiday season is approaching and the House, controlled by Republicans, has not yet convened new sessions.
Even before the vote, US President Donald Trump threatened to end some public aid programs if the government shutdown lasts another week.
Speaking to White House journalists, the Republican said he was ready to present on Friday a list of government programs supported by Democrats and close them.
Trump did not specify what type of subsidies or programs he was referring to, but said they were “outrageous and semi-communist” projects.
“They will never come back”, stressed the North American head of state.
The government shutdown has already led to the layoff of hundreds of federal employees, ordered by the White House, and caused delays in air traffic and at the border with Mexico.
Democrats and Republicans have not yet reached an agreement on the 60 votes needed for one of the two temporary budget proposals, leading the country to enter the fourth week of this situation, which has been plaguing it since October 1st.