The Senate shot down dueling versions of a short-term funding patch Friday before leaving town for a weeklong recess without a plan in place to avoid a partial government shutdown next month.
With lawmakers unable to resolve a partisan standoff over extending expiring health insurance subsidies, Senate leaders agreed to engage in a bit of political theater, allowing each party to get a vote on its own version of a stopgap spending measure, knowing neither would have enough support to pass.
Party leaders agreed to set a 60-vote threshold for each, and the GOP-controlled chamber is divided 53-47.
