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Senate Republicans blocked an attempt by Democrats on Monday evening to begin debate on a broad bill funding the government and increasing the debt ceiling.
The measure to briefly keep the government operating past the end of the fiscal year on Thursday, as well as to increase the debt ceiling and approve billions in aid for regions struck by extreme weather, failed on a vote of 48-50.
All Democrats supported the measure and all Republicans opposed it, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), switching his vote to “no” so the measure could be brought up later for another vote.
It was not yet clear Monday evening how congressional Democrats would proceed with tackling the major, time-sensitive issues on their plate.
After the vote, Schumer said only that they would be taking “further action” this week.
The failed vote was expected after Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said for weeks that GOP senators would oppose raising the debt limit at a time when Democrats also are seeking to push through a massive social spending plan with no Republican support.
The stalemate sets up a dangerous scenario: If the Democratic-controlled chambers of Congress don’t pass a short-term spending bill before midnight Thursday, the federal government will begin to shut down. That means suspending non-essential government services, and scaling back those that must continue.
And without congressional action to increase the amount of money that the federal government can borrow — a step necessary due to years of accumulating debt obligations — the country could risk defaulting on its debts.
After the failed vote, Schumer blamed GOP senators for the looming uncertainty, accusing them of “playing games with the full faith and credit of the United States.”
“The Republican Party has solidified itself as the party of default, and it will be the American people who pay the price,” Schumer said.
McConnell argued for voting on an identical measure that would leave out the debt ceiling increase, saying his party will not help lift the debt ceiling while Democrats “write a reckless taxing-and-spending spree of historic proportions,” a reference to the $3.5 trillion social spending bill that’s a central part of President Joe Biden’s policy agenda.
