US on brink of shutdown after Senate rejects funding bills. What it means

The United States government is facing the first federal shutdown in almost seven years, after the US senators failed to pass a last-minute funding bill. The latest development comes amid President Donald Trump’s threats of new layoffs of federal employees.

The stopgap funding bill crafted by the Republicans needed at least 60 votes, but could only muster 55 against 45, as there was no breakthrough despite negotiations in Congress. Tuesday marks the end of the fiscal year.

The Democrats have been demanding the extension of healthcare subsidies and the reversal of cuts to domestic programmes.

Following the vote, the White House issued a memorandum saying: “President Trump supports passage of H.R. 5371, but it is now clear that Democrats will prevent passage of this clean CR prior to 11:59pm tonight and force a government shutdown.

“Affected agencies should now execute their plans for an orderly shutdown. It is unclear how long Democrats will maintain their untenable posture, making the duration of the shutdown difficult to predict. Regardless, employees should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities."

What next?

Senate GOP leader John Thune said the lawmakers may try again later in the week, but a breakthrough seems unlikely.