Efforts to bring a quick end to the US government shutdown floundered Wednesday when senators rejected a plan to resolve an acrimonious funding stand-off between President Donald Trump and Democrats in Congress. Senate Democrats – who are demanding extended health care subsidies for low income families – refused to help the majority Republicans approve a House-passed bill that would have reopened the government for several weeks while negotiations continue. This time, the shutdown comes against a darker backdrop, with Trump racing to enact hard-right policies, including slashing entire government departments. "A lot of good can come down from shutdowns," Trump told reporters Tuesday. "It's the job of senators on both sides of the aisle to come together," top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer told CNN.