US government shutdown drags into weekend as Senate Democrats block GOP plan

WASHINGTON -- US Senate Democrats on Friday blocked a Republican bill to temporarily fund the government, which means the government shutdown will likely last through the weekend.

The bill was voted on a largely party-line 54-44 for a fourth time, with the same three Senate Democratic members joining most Republicans in backing the bill.

The two sides continued to trade accusations, blaming the other side for the shutdown.

"They have taken hostage the federal government and, by extension, the American people, who are the only losers in this," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota.

Democrats have been pushing for an extension to enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, which is set to expire at the end of the year. They also want to reverse the cuts to Medicaid previously approved by Congress in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Senate Republicans, however, said they would discuss health care policies with Democrats only after the government is reopened.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said on social media platform X: "The Republicans can reopen the government and make people's healthcare more affordable at the same time. Republicans are choosing to let healthcare costs go up for Americans across this country."

The US federal government entered a shutdown on Wednesday, marking the first shutdown in nearly seven years. The clash between the Trump administration and the Democrats has been escalating in recent days.

The Trump administration is cutting projects Democrats support, dismantling federal agencies led by them, and threatening to lay off federal employees. Democrats are criticizing such moves.