Democrats block government funding bill for 12th time after marathon floor protest

Senate Democrats have once again blocked a House-passed bill aimed at funding the government, marking the 12th time this has happened. This decision came after a lengthy protest led by Senator Jeff Merkley, who spoke for nearly 23 hours. The failure to pass this clean continuing resolution, which would maintain current funding levels, raises concerns about potential government shutdowns and the impact on federal services. This ongoing stalemate highlights the deep divisions within Congress and the challenges of reaching bipartisan agreements.