Senate derails funding bills in shutdown stalemate

Politico.com - For more and to sign up click here The shutdown showdown is officially on. The Senate rejected dueling short-term government funding proposals Friday afternoon, leaving no clear off-ramp before the fiscal year ends and agencies shut down at midnight Sept. 30. Despite the looming cliff, neither side appears ready to blink, and lawmakers are set to spend at least the next nine days back home. House…