Senate blocks stopgap bill to fund government
By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press
Sep 27, 2016 1:47 PM CDT
FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2016 file photo, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nev. speaks to reporters during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democrats opened a last-minute push Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, for new talks on must-do legislation to prevent the government from shutting...   (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has blocked a spending bill needed to keep the government open beyond Friday's midnight deadline.

Most Democrats and at least 10 Republicans voted to block the bill, which also funds the fight against the Zika virus. Democrats are demanding money to help Flint, Michigan, address its lead-tainted water crisis.

The 45-55 vote on Tuesday stalls the stopgap bill — for now. Republican leaders are promising to address the Flint issue after the election in a separate water bill, but Democrats refuse to take them at their word.

The bill includes $500 million to help Louisiana after last month's flooding.

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