WASHINGTON — The federal government officially entered a shutdown today after the U.S. Senate failed to approve a Republican measure to fund the government for seven weeks while lawmakers negotiate full-year spending bills.

The stopgap funding bill did not reach the 60-vote threshold in the Senate Tuesday night. Two Democratic senators and one independent joined Republicans to approve the continuing resolution that would keep spending levels flat until Nov. 21. Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, voted against it.

Republicans also defeated a Democratic measure that would fund the government for four weeks and permanently extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits .

Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt put the blame for the shutdown squarely on Democrats and specifically Senate Min

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