SHUTDOWN DAY 24
The federal government shutdown has reached its 24th day, making it the second-longest shutdown in history. The Senate failed for a 12th time Wednesday to advance the GOP funding bill. The chamber adjourned on Thursday and won't return until Monday afternoon, meaning the impasse is all but certain to stretch into next week. A separate Republican-backed bill to pay federal employees and contractors who continue working during a lapse in appropriations failed to advance on Thursday, but Sen. Ron Johnson, the sponsor, said he would continue talks with Democrats in hopes of passing it next week.
