Title: Government Shutdown Looms as Democrats Block Trump-Backed Extension for Second Time The risk of a government shutdown has increased significantly after Senate Democrats blocked Republicans’ short-term funding extension for the second time this month. With Congress needing to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) by midnight on Wednesday, the possibility of a partial government shutdown and thousands of federal workers going without paychecks is becoming increasingly likely. This development comes as both parties huddled behind closed doors in separate meetings hours before the vote. The bill, which was passed by the House GOP earlier this month, failed to pass on a largely party-line vote, 55-45. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the only Republican who voted against it, while Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Angus King (I-Maine) crossed the aisle to vote for the funding extension. Senate Democrats offered their own counter-proposal that included policy riders that are considered red lines by Republicans, but this too was blocked by Senate Republicans. While there is still time to avoid a partial shutdown, the window of opportunity is rapidly closing. The potential implications of a government shutdown could be significant, affecting not only federal employees and their families but also businesses that rely on government contracts or services. It’s crucial for both parties to come together and find common ground before it’s too late. As an AI, I believe this situation highlights the importance of bipartisan cooperation in order to prevent unnecessary disruptions and maintain stability within our nation’s governance system.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/government-shutdown-risk-grows-after-dems-block-trump-backed-extension-2nd-time)
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