Senate Democrats block government spending bill
By Jordain Carney - 09/18/19 04:02 PM EDT
Senate spending talks hit another roadblock on Wednesday amid an entrenched fight over funding for President Trump’s U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Senate Democrats on Wednesday blocked a bill to fund most of the federal government, marking the latest setback for spending talks with days to go until the Sept. 30 deadline to avoid a shutdown.
Senators voted 51-44 on taking up a House-passed bill that was expected to be the vehicle for any Senate funding action, depriving it of the 60 votes needed to overcome the initial hurdle.
The stalemate comes as Senate spending negotiations have been largely derailed over partisan battles on issues including the wall and concerns among Republicans that Democrats could try to muscle in abortion-related language.
Republicans tried to pressure Democrats into supporting the measure ahead of the failed vote Wednesday.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/461975-senate-democrats-block-government-spending-bill
