Senate again fails to pass bills to end government shutdown on first day

​​​​​​​WASHINGTON

The US Senate on Wednesday failed for a second straight day to advance funding bills, prolonging a government shutdown that began at midnight.

Lawmakers held two procedural votes that mirrored Tuesday’s failed attempts. The Democratic proposal, which included health care provisions, was blocked 53-47, with Republicans united in opposition. A separate vote on a Republican stop-gap funding measure that passed the House of Representatives also fell short, 55-45, as Democrats opposed.

Negotiators had until midnight Tuesday to reach an understanding, but the deadline came and went with major differences persisting.

Democrats have sought to include health care reforms as part of any budget bill, including a reversal of part of President Donald Trump's signature tax law that established cuts to Medicaid funding, as well as an extension of subsidies under the US' quasi-universal health care law known as the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans are instead demanding a "clean" continuing resolution devoid of any changes to existing spending.