US Senate fails to pass spending bill hours before shutdown deadline

Lawmakers have until midnight to avert federal agencies running out of money

The US Senate failed to pass a stopgap spending bill on Tuesday, just hours before the midnight deadline to avert a government shutdown.

Although Republicans hold a majority in the chamber, they needed Democratic support to clear the bill under current rules. Democrats refused to back the measure and instead proposed an alternative that would permanently extend healthcare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year and reverse planned cuts to Medicaid.

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