Government shutdown extends into workweek

WASHINGTON—Stuck in a stalemate, lawmakers pushed the government shutdown into its third day Monday after failing to reconcile spending package differences. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Sunday the Senate would shorten the continuing resolution from four weeks to three in an attempt to reopen the government. McConnell said if lawmakers agree to that proposal, he will call up votes on immigration, disaster relief, military spending, and other partisan sticking points both sides have debated for months. McConnell’s counterpart, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., snubbed the request. “Talks will continue, but we have yet to reach an agreement on a path forward that would be acceptable for both sides,” Schumer said. The government ran out of funding at midnight Friday, and both sides place blame on the opposing party. “The Democrats are turning down services and security for citizens in favor of services and security for non-citizens,” President Donald Trump tweeted Monday morning. The Senate will vote again on a spending package bill Monday afternoon. Republican Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina voted to block the initial continuing resolution in an attempt to vote on an immigration bill. Both announced they would flip their votes Monday in favor of funding government services and pressing forward with immigration talks. But Democrats still have enough votes to hold the spending bill hostage.