(MENAFN) The US Senate on Tuesday was unable to advance a Republican-backed bill aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown, now entering its 14th day, according to reports.

The motion to invoke cloture on the House-passed funding measure, which would keep the government open until November 21, fell 11 votes short, passing by only 49-45. The legislation required 60 votes to move forward.

Lawmakers from both parties continue to blame each other for stalling efforts to reopen the government. While most Democrats opposed the bill, two Democratic-aligned senators—Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and independent Angus King of Maine—joined the majority of Republicans in support. Republican Senator Rand Paul voted against advancing the measure, meaning at least eight Democrats would have needed to cross party lines for it to succeed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune also voted “no to make a motion to reconsider.”

Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who had supported the measure in previous votes, did not participate in Tuesday’s vote.

Although a government shutdown does not immediately trigger a full economic crisis, it disrupts multiple facets of daily life in the United States and adds uncertainty to the world’s largest economy. Many federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay, while others are placed on mandatory leave. Individual federal agencies implement their own shutdown plans to determine which personnel are deemed essential.

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