WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate rejected competing funding bills for the seventh time on Thursday, meaning that the federal government shutdown will continue, at least for now.

Every Republican in the Senate rejected the Democrats' bill, as they have previously. And once again, three Democratic caucus members voted with Republicans on their bill: Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Sen. Angus King (Maine), an independent, and Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.).

Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) was the only Republican to vote against the Republican-backed bill.

The Republican bill would fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats have so far blocked it, as the bill does not include what they believe to be adequate health care funding.

Democrats want to negotiate with Republicans to extend the Afford

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