The Senate failed to advance the House-passed funding bill that would end the government shutdown for the 12th time on Wednesday, following a marathon speech by Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

The federal government remains shut down. The NPR Network is following the ways the shutdown is affecting services across the country.

As a result of the shutdown, federal employees miss their first full paycheck on Friday. Several states are warning they will be forced to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits come Nov. 1.

For the 12th time on Wednesday, Senate Democrats blocked Republicans' short-term funding bill to reopen the government. Democrats have demanded that extending expiring subsidies in the Affordable Care Act and reversing Republicans' Medicaid cuts be included in legislation to end the shutdown.

The government shutdown has reopened debate on what has been a central issue for both major political parties in the last 15 years: the future of health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Tax credits for people who get health insurance through the marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act,

The national debt is rising faster than ever and threatens to undermine confidence in the economy, experts warn.

Republicans say Democrats are using the shutdown for partisan gain; Democrats say they’re protecting health care for the poor.

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the site for the women's basketball season opener between UConn and Louisville has been moved.