WASHINGTON — A stopgap spending bill that would avert an Oct. 1 government shutdown fell short in the U.S. Senate on Friday, as Democrats withheld support for the legislation while demanding higher spending for healthcare.

The 44-48 vote, coming on the eve of a week-long congressional recess, raises the chances that federal agencies will shut down if a deal between Republicans and Democrats cannot be struck before current funding expires at midnight on Sept. 30.

Only one Democrat voted for the bill, leaving it short of the 60 votes needed to advance under Senate rules.

It was unclear whether Senate Majority Leader John Thune would call the Senate back from its break to try again next week.

Congress has struggled to pass spending legislation in recent years due to rising partisan tensio

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