Senate Republicans blocked a key vote on the government funding bill approved by the House of Representatives on Monday, while the deadline to avoid a shutdown looms at the end of the week.
The Senate voted 48 to 50 on the measure.
Republicans objected because it included a clause to extend the limit, or "ceiling," on government debt.
Before the vote officially failed, Democrats had begun to contemplate alternative options to avoid a government shutdown.
Lawmakers have until Friday to approve the funds needed to keep the government operating, or an official shutdown will take effect.
Although the debt accumulated by the government, which required raising the "ceiling", has not been accumulated by a single party,
Republicans blame Democrats for authorizing trillions of dollars in spending for programs related to social security.
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