AP
The three bills would have funded veterans programs, national parks, and the District of Columbia - three of the most visible effects of the first federal
House and Senate Democrats derided the plan as a gimmick, and Senate Majority Leader
A House Democratic aide told Business Insider that House GOP leadership likely put the bills under suspension - thus requiring a two-thirds majority to pass - because it was worried about Democrats bringing up a motion to recommit. That's a procedural rule that would allow Democrats to swap in the so-called "clean" continuing resolution that funds the government through Nov. 15.
On CNN after the votes, a furious House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) blasted Democrats and President Barack Obama in a statement.
"Why is it that you can say, well, we're just not going to support those things?" Cantor said. "That's a terrible message to send to people who are hurting right now."
Cantor hinted that House Republicans could bring up the bills again for a majority vote on Wednesday.
After the Senate had adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Reid fired back at House Republicans. He called on House Speaker
But as the federal government ended its first day in partial shutdown, there was no clear end in sight.
"Speaker Boehner has the votes to re-open the government and he knows it," Reid said.
"By refusing to let the House vote on the only bill that will re-open the government, Speaker Boehner is single-handedly keeping the government shut down. It is time for Speaker Boehner to stop the games, think about the people he is hurting, and let the House pass the Senate's bill to re-open the government with Republican and Democratic votes."