Congressional Democrats and Republicans failed to come to agreement by yesterday’s budget deadline to keep the U.S. government funded. A shutdown began at 12:01 am Eastern Time on Wednesday as both sides voted down the other’s proposals to extend funding temporarily. The Republican proposal would have extended funding through Nov. 21, but fell in a 55-to-45 vote, with two Democrats joining in favor of the plan. The Democrats’ plan, which would have extended funding through the end of October and included $1 trillion in healthcare spending that is the major point of contention for the budget row, fell to a 47-to-53 vote. Budget measures require a 60-vote majority.
