WASHINGTON – The Senate on Dec. 11 rejected advancing a bill to prevent health care premiums from spiking next year for millions of Obamacare enrollees.

The failed vote, scheduled by Republicans in November to persuade Democrats to end the longest-ever government shutdown , leaves lawmakers virtually no time before their holiday break to soften the approaching financial blow for many Americans. Federal subsidies relied on by millions of Americans on the Affordable Care Act exchange will expire come January, in many cases doubling and tripling their premiums .

"I say to my Republican colleagues, our bill is the last train to leave the station," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said ahead of the vote. "If Republicans don't climb aboard, there won't be another chanc

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