WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats kept their promise to reject any Republican spending bill that didn’t extend or restore health care benefits, choosing instead to force a government shutdown. The bill Democrats voted against was a simple extension of funding for 45 days, legislation they say should be noncontroversial. Republicans were encouraged Tuesday evening when three Democrats voted with them to keep the government open — Democratic Sens. Both voted to keep the government open in March, along with Schumer, while many of their colleagues voted for a shutdown. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and House Republicans triggered a shutdown in 2013 over Obama’s health care law.