Senate Democrats blocked a Pentagon funding bill, 50–44, derailing Republicans’ bid to restart spending on Day 16 of the shutdown. Three Democrats—Jeanne Shaheen, Catherine Cortez Masto and John Fetterman—voted to advance the measure, which needed 60 votes. Democrats insisted priorities, including expiring health insurance tax credits, be addressed and rejected moving defense alone. GOP leader John Thune accused them of refusing to “pay the troops,” while Chuck Schumer said Republicans were going it alone. The bill would restore military pay as President Trump ordered the Pentagon to tap available funds; Speaker Mike Johnson called that a temporary fix.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.