WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats kept their promise to reject any Republican spending bill that didn't extend or restore health care benefits, choosing instead to force a government shutdown. Now they have to figure out how to get out of it.

Just hours after the shutdown began, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said that if the Republicans work with them, "the shutdown could go away very quickly."

Republican leaders — Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump — say they won't negotiate or be "held hostage " by Democrats demanding concessions to reopen the government.

While that uncompromising Republican position may not last long — there were some early, informal talks on the Senate floor Wednesday — reaching a deal would be difficult. It

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