Senate Democrats Keep Government Closed Sixth Day Into Shutdown

Senate Democrats chose to keep the government shuttered six days into a shutdown that has no end in sight.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the majority of his caucus rejected a bipartisan spending bill Monday evening to reopen the government for the fifth time. The same three Democratic caucus members joined Republicans to back the House-passed bill, but no other lawmakers have been willing to cross Schumer, leaving the measure short of reaching the Senate’s 60-vote threshold.

Far-left activist groups are reportedly engaged in a concerted pressure campaign to persuade Democratic lawmakers and those who caucus with Schumer to oppose the clean spending bill that would fund the government through Nov. 21.

Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and independent Maine Sen. Angus King — the trio who are backing the Republicans’ funding measure — are also facing criticism by some advocacy groups for crossing party lines.

Their votes in favor of the bipartisan spending bill have notably weakened Schumer’s claim that Democrats are united in their strategy to reject a funding measure until Republicans agree to various policy demands.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has been adamant that Republicans will not negotiate unrelated policy until Schumer supplies the votes to reopen the government.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul continues to be the lone GOP lawmaker to vote against the House-passed spending bill, arguing the measure fails to cut spending.