The US Capitol as government shutdown continues. (Photo: AP)Two separate votes, by Republicans and Democrats to end the ongoing US government shutdown, failed in the Senate on Friday. With this, the US government shutdown will continue for at least two more days as the chamber is adjourning until Monday.Republican stopgap funding billThe Republican-backed stopgap funding bill failed in the Senate, 54-44. The bill, which was already passed by the House, would fund the government through November 21.The US Capitol is seen on the second day of the government shutdown, in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)The Senate’s filibuster rules make it necessary for the government funding legislation to gain support from at least 60 of the 100 senators. This has given Democrats a rare opportunity to use their 47 Senate seats to hold out in exchange for policy concessions.Democrat bill fails in SenateEarlier, a vote to advance a Democratic-backed plan to temporarily fund the government also failed, 46-52.This was the fourth time in as many days that Senators have failed to reach a consensus to end the US government shutdown.Democrats are demanding that Congress extend healthcare benefits, while Republicans are trying to wear them down with day after day of voting on the House-passed bill that would reopen the government temporarily, mostly at current spending levels.Both sides have refused to climb down from their respective positions and blamed the other for the current predicament.Fight over Affordable Care Act“We’ve got to do something to make sure the premiums don’t essentially double, which they will in my state,” said the Missouri Republican, referencing ongoing discussions about extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. “We just can’t allow that to happen.”“That’s a lot of Missourians that will not be able to afford healthcare. So we have to do something about it,” said Hawley.Some Republicans have said they will address the expiring ACA tax credits once the government reopens. Hawley said they need to be addressed “as soon as possible.”“I think that the path forward on this is more likely to be achieved with rank and file members who actually want to have an appropriations process, want us to get back on track on the calendar legislatively,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said.“I understand the predicament but we’ve got to get the government opened up or else we can’t get anything else done around here,” Thune added.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, on the other hand, said Trump and Republican leaders are not serious in shutdown talks.“These aren’t serious individuals. They want to keep the government shut down,” Jeffries said.House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, speaks to reporters on the Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)The Democrat reiterated his party’s position that an extension of Affordable Care Act healthcare subsidies would be necessary for any budget to reopen the government.“Everyone is about to experience dramatically increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles because of the Republican health care crisis. Everyone,” he warned.