WASHINGTON — The U.S. government went into a partial shutdown early Wednesday as hundreds of thousands of federal workers were furloughed or laboring without pay. Republicans rejected the extension, arguing it should be handled separately from basic government funding. A shutdown in March was narrowly averted when Schumer backed a GOP-led continuing resolution that ultimately drew fire from progressives in his party. September talks aimed at a November extension collapsed under pressure from some Republicans who opposed any spending increases. As the clock ticked past midnight, bipartisan leaders huddled at the White House for last-ditch talks, but emerged without a deal.