WASHINGTON — As Congress inches closer toward a government shutdown at the end of this month, party leaders are entering a messaging battle to blame the opposing side for the lack of a bipartisan agreement and a potential lapse in federal funding.

The Senate rejected two dueling spending proposals on Friday led separately by Democrats and Republicans, but both failed to reach the 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster — grinding action to a halt less than 11 days before the shutdown deadline. But rather than engage in bipartisan negotiations and come to a compromise, both sides are pointing fingers toward the other over who caused this last-minute scuffle.

For Republicans, their argument is simple: Their proposal is a “clean” continuing resolution, meaning it keeps the budget at cu

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