Senate fails for 14th time to advance government‐funding bill

Now in its 35th day (or 34th depending how you count per Whitehouse.gov we are in day 34), the U.S. government shutdown has tied the record for the longest‐ever federal closure, matching the 2018–19 shutdown that began in December 2018.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers remain at a stalemate on a funding solution. Meanwhile the impacts are mounting: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding ran dry over the weekend, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warnings flagged flight delays and air traffic-controller shortages.

White House: What else will Donald Trump do to end the shutdown?

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fielded a question on whether the president plans to do more than post on his social-media platform. She said:

“Look, I think you’ll see. I think you’ll see the president continue to engage, very strongly and consistently with his friends on Capitol Hill. … I don’t have any meetings to read out for you at this time, but I think you should stay tuned … The president’s making his position on it quite clear.”

Leavitt added that Trump has called on Republicans to eliminate the filibuster to break the impasse.

“And again, he is right. Republicans need to play tough. We know that this is what the Democrats will do if they are ever given the keys to power again,” she said.

Why this matters

• The prior longest shutdown lasted 35 days (Dec 22 2018 – Jan 25 2019). If no deal is reached by tomorrow night, the current one will break that record.
• A shutdown this long affects more than politics: federal workers go unpaid, benefits get delayed, airports and air traffic services strain, and millions of Americans feel the ripple.
• The failed 14th vote underlines how procedural rules (filibuster, 60-vote threshold) and party strategy are driving the crisis as much as budget issues.

What to watch next

• Will Senate leadership schedule and succeed in a vote this week that actually advances a CR (continuing resolution) to reopen funding?
• Will Republicans move to eliminate or loosen the filibuster in response to the urgency?
• Will the White House shift from rhetoric to a concrete deal or legislative push?
• How will the public react as the record is tied and likely broken—does momentum build for compromise, or does the stalemate deepen?

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