Funding bill rejected as shutdown nears

The Senate rejected a short-term funding bill for the government backed by Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell, Paul offer bill to cement tax provision benefiting bourbon makers Forget about Mueller, Democrats — we've got real work to do Overnight Defense: Trump vetoes Saudi arms sale resolutions | A look at Esper's first day as Pentagon chief | Iran, 'forever chemicals' mark early priorities | Budget deal set for Thursday House vote MORE (R-Ky.) after 13 Republicans joined nearly the entire Democratic caucus in voting no.

The 45-55 vote leaves Congress facing an uncertain path to prevent a government shutdown. Without a new funding law in place, the government would shut down on Saturday. 

Sens. Joe DonnellyJoseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyTrump nominees meet fiercest opposition from Warren, Sanders, Gillibrand GOP frets over nightmare scenario for Senate primaries McConnell's Democratic challenger McGrath backtracks on Kavanaugh comments MORE (Ind.), Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinHouse bill would make World Cup funds contingent on equal pay Poll: McConnell is most unpopular senator Dems open to killing filibuster in next Congress MORE (W.Va.), Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonAl Franken says he 'absolutely' regrets resigning Democrats target Florida Hispanics in 2020 Poll: Six Democrats lead Trump in Florida match-ups MORE (Fla.) and Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterPoll: McConnell is most unpopular senator Trump nominees meet fiercest opposition from Warren, Sanders, Gillibrand The Hill's 12:30 Report: Pelosi looks to squash fight with progressives MORE (Mont.) were the only Democrats to support the continuing resolution (CR). Other Democrats objected that the package keeping the government operating through Dec. 9 included no money for Flint, Michigan.

The dozen Republicans who voted against the measure did so for a variety of reasons. They were joined by McConnell, who voted no to preserve his ability to offer the measure again.

GOP Sens. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzO'Rourke pushes back on narrative that 2020 'chances have narrowed' The Hill's Morning Report — Mueller day finally arrives GOP pushback puts Trump judicial nominee at risk MORE (Texas), Steve Daines (Mont.), Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamTensions flare amid Saudi fight in Senate GOP senator: Americans should remember Mueller from 'his prime' GOP pushback puts Trump judicial nominee at risk MORE (S.C.), Dean HellerDean Arthur HellerThis week: Barr back in hot seat over Mueller report Trump suggests Heller lost reelection bid because he was 'hostile' during 2016 presidential campaign Trump picks ex-oil lobbyist David Bernhardt for Interior secretary MORE (Nev.), James InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofeOvernight Defense: Esper sworn in as Pentagon chief | Confirmed in 90-8 vote | Takes helm as Trump juggles foreign policy challenges | Senators meet with woman accusing defense nominee of sexual assault Senate panel advances Pentagon chief, Joint Chiefs chairman nominees Trump's pick to lead Pentagon glides through confirmation hearing MORE (Okla.), James Lankford (Okla.), Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeRand Paul aide calls Jon Stewart a 'disheveled charlatan' Jon Stewart calls Rand Paul a 'scalawag and a ragamuffin' over vote against 9/11 bill The Hill's Morning Report — Mueller day finally arrives MORE (Utah), Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulMcConnell, Paul offer bill to cement tax provision benefiting bourbon makers Rand Paul aide calls Jon Stewart a 'disheveled charlatan' Jon Stewart calls Rand Paul a 'scalawag and a ragamuffin' over vote against 9/11 bill MORE (Ky.), David Perdue (Ga.), Ben Sasse (Neb.), Tim ScottTimothy (Tim) Eugene ScottGOP pushback puts Trump judicial nominee at risk Graham: Every Republican president or nominee 'will be accused of being a racist' Sanford calls for 'overdue conversation' on debt as he mulls Trump challenge MORE (S.C.) and Jeff SessionsJefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsLive coverage: Mueller testifies before Congress The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump hits media over 'send her back' coverage House gears up for Mueller testimony MORE (Ala.) were the other Republican no votes.

Democrats are digging in on their demand that funding for Flint be included in the spending bill, which already includes emergency help for flood victims in Louisiana, Maryland and West Virginia.

Democrats, while stressing they don't oppose the flood aid, argue any short-term funding bill shouldn't include the flood money unless it also helps Flint.

McConnell didn't shut the door to dropping the flood money from the stopgap bill, saying, "that's certainly an option." 

Sen. Dick DurbinRichard (Dick) Joseph DurbinGOP pushback puts Trump judicial nominee at risk Democrats paint McConnell as 'lead opponent' to election security in new report House panel to hold hearing on Juul role in youth nicotine addiction MORE (D-Ill.) shot down a question about whether Democrats would be satisfied with a promise from McConnell (R-Ky.) and Speaker Paul RyanPaul Davis RyanLatina leaders: 'It's a women's world more than anything' House chaplain applauds budget deal during opening prayer Juan Williams: Trump fans the flames of white grievance MORE (R-Wis.) to pass the Flint aid in a lame-duck session after the election.

"No, if he wants to make that promise to Flint make him make the same promise to Louisiana," Durbin said. 

Sen. Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowDemocratic senator slams DeVos: 'I think we should send her back' Democrats grill USDA official on relocation plans that gut research staff USDA expected to lose two-thirds of research staff in move to Kansas City MORE (D-Mich.) added in a separate press conference that, "if the rational is that a water issue in Flint should be in [Water Resources Development Act], then a water issue in Louisiana should be in WRDA as well." 

Sen. John CornynJohn CornynTexas Democratic Senate candidate says she does not support Green New Deal GOP pushback puts Trump judicial nominee at risk Bipartisan senators introduce bill to challenge new EPA policy and Supreme Court ruling on FOIA MORE (R-Texas) didn't close the door to the Louisiana aid being moved to the water bill.

“It’s important to a number of states, including my state,” the Texas Republican said. "That’s what the bill has in it now, and we’ll see how the Democrats vote.”  

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), noting he was opposed to removing the flood money, said he was aware of the Democratic objections. 

"Why do you feel you have to punish people in Louisiana ... for Flint when there's a pathway forward on Flint through the WRDA bill?" he said.

The stalemate over Flint comes after the Senate version of WRDA passed earlier this month included $220 million to address water infrastructure improvements in Flint. 

But the House measure does not have Flint aid provisions, meaning the two chambers would have to resolve the issue in conference committee negotiations after the election.  

Sen. Barbara BoxerBarbara Levy BoxerOnly four Dem senators have endorsed 2020 candidates Hispanic civil rights icon endorses Harris for president California AG Becerra included in Bloomberg 50 list MORE (D-Calif.) hinted that Democrats could accept a written agreement on Flint aid from Republican leadership.  

“We need more than just vague promises,” Boxer told reporters. “They can commit to us in writing that they can absolutely agree to our provisions. We don’t have any of that.”  

But Democrats appeared split on what would need to be in such a deal. 

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), while noting the CR isn't the only vehicle for the Flint aid, also set a high bar for an agreement: the president's signature.  

"The writing would be the president signing the bill," he told reporters. 

The White House on Tuesday backed up Democratic demands for the Flint funding to be added to the bill. 

“The president has made clear for moths that Congress needs to act to provide resources to the community of Flint,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.

Earnest noted the emergency funding in the Senate CR for Louisiana, Maryland and other states recovering from flooding. 

“The president believes Congress should do the same thing for Flint and other communities dealing with those challenges.” 

This story was updated at 5:58 p.m.