Senate Republicans Block Bill to Keep Government Running, Suspend Debt Ceiling

Senate republicans on Monday blocked the bill to keep the government running and suspend a ceiling on debt.

The measure needed 60 votes to pass, but only got a 50 to 48 vote with no republicans supporting it, Just the News reports.

Democrats are expected to try again on Thursday to pass a bill that would keep the government funded past September 30, which is the fiscal end of the government year.

“I changed my vote from yes to no in order to reserve the option of additional action on the House-passed legislation,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after switching his vote to preserve the option to consider the bill again. “Keeping the government open and preventing a default is vital to our country’s future and we’ll be taking further action to prevent this from happening this week.”