A session of the US Congress (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

The House, led by Democrats, on Wednesday passed a bill to re-open the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service. Senate Republicans have not shown any interest in taking up the bills.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked a vote on Democrat spending bills, saying he won’t allow a vote on any legislation that President Donald Trump would not sign. Mr. McConnell said last December that Democrats had agreed not to hold a vote on spending until President Trump and both parties have reached an agreement.