Washington: The United States government entered a shutdown on Tuesday night after a last-minute Senate vote failed to extend federal funding beyond the midnight deadline. The measure, intended to avert the closure of government operations, fell short in a 55-to-45 vote, missing the 60-vote threshold required to advance the legislation.

The impasse reflects deep partisan divisions over the scope of the spending bill. Senate Democrats opposed the measure, insisting that any extension of funding must also include permanent protections for Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. Without such action, healthcare costs for approximately 24 million Americans could spike sharply, Democrats warned, framing the vote as a critical step to prevent widespread financial st

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