Shutdown poised to drag into next week as layoff threat looms

The government shutdown is likely to continue into next week after the Senate for a fourth time rejected a bill to keep agencies funded through Nov. 21, keeping hundreds of thousands of employees at home and others at risk of losing their jobs altogether.

All but three Democrats rejected a continuing resolution to reopen agencies, denying the legislation the 60 votes required for its passage. Neither chamber is expected to hold votes over the weekend, meaning Monday is the earliest lawmakers could vote to end the shutdown. The two sides remain divided, however, and no clear path toward resolving the impasse has emerged.

The prospect of a longer shutdown will likely lead to more federal employees being sent home on furlough. Some agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service, have kept a