US Senate rejects Democrats’ spending bill

WASHINGTON

The US Senate blocked a Democratic-backed stopgap spending bill Tuesday, moving the country closer to a potential government shutdown as funding is set to expire at midnight.

Lawmakers voted 47-53 along party lines on advancing the package, which included an extension of government funding and roughly $1 trillion in health care provisions.

The bill needed 60 votes to move forward.

Negotiators have until midnight Tuesday to reach an understanding.

Democrats have sought to include health care reforms as part of any budget bill, including a reversal of part of President Donald Trump's signature tax law that established cuts to Medicaid funding, as well as an extension of subsidies under the US's quasi-universal health care law, known as the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans are instead demanding a "clean" continuing resolution devoid of any changes to existing spending.