CAPITOL HILL — THE U.S. SENATE on Friday, Sept. 19 rejected two competing measures to continue funding agencies for a few weeks when the new budget year begins on Oct. 1, the Associated Press and other agencies reported.

This action increases the likelihood of a government shutdown on that date unless party leaders on either side of the aisle reach an agreement.

Republican and Democrat leaders blamed each other for the stalemate. Democrats contended that Republicans should have negotiated more effectively for the Democratic votes needed to pass the bills; Republicans in turn said Democrats were demanding funds that were not immediately critical to keeping the government open during this period. A key point of contention in the bills was funding the Affordable Care Act’s tax s

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