Republicans block bill to raise US debt limit as shutdown looms

The vote leaves Democrats scrambling to find a new strategy to address two fast-approaching deadlines with major economic consequences

Democrats themselves are divided over two pillars of Biden’s domestic agenda – a US$1 trillion infrastructure bill and a US$3.5 trillion social spending package

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Democrats now have just three days to find another way to keep the government operating beyond Thursday – when current funding expires. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:51am, 28 Sep 2021Updated: 7:59am, 28 Sep 2021

A sharply divided US Senate failed on Monday to advance a measure to suspend the federal debt ceiling and avoid a partial government shutdown, as Republican lawmakers denied the bill the votes necessary to move forward.

President Joe Biden’s Democrats were unable to pass the legislation that would confront two fast-approaching deadlines that, if left unaddressed, threaten to destabilise the US economy as it struggles to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The near party-line vote of 48 votes to advance against 50 opposed fell short of the 60 votes needed to move legislation forward in the 100-seat Senate. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer voted “no” to allow him to call another vote.

Democrats who narrowly control both chambers of Congress now have just three days to find another way to keep the government operating beyond Thursday – when current funding expires.

Senate majority leader Charles Schumer arrives at the US Capitol on Monday. Photo: AFP

Republican Senator Richard Shelby predicted that lawmakers would not resolve the stand-off any time soon. “Probably will be here Thursday,” he told reporters.