UPDATE - US government nears shutdown after Senate rejects stopgap spending bills

ADDS REPUBLICAN BILL, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Senate rejected both Democratic and Republican stopgap spending bills Tuesday, bringing the country closer to a potential government shutdown as federal funding is set to expire at midnight.

Lawmakers voted 47-53 along party lines, failing to advance the Democratic-backed package, which included an extension of government funding and roughly $1 trillion in health care provisions.

The bill needed 60 votes to move forward.

Shortly after, the chamber also rejected the Republican-backed bill in a 55-45 vote upon reconsideration, falling short of the 60 votes required.

Negotiators have until midnight Tuesday to reach an understanding.

Democrats have sought to include health care reforms as part of any budget bill, including a reversal of part of President Donald Trump's signature tax law that established cuts to Medicaid funding, as well as an extension of subsidies under the US's quasi-universal health care law, known as the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans are instead demanding a "clean" continuing resolution devoid of any changes to existing spending.