GOP plan to block House measure could trigger an unprecedented $28tn default

Opposition from Mitch McConnell means the spending package is dead and the US faces a shutdown and default

Top Republicans in the Senate are poised to block a key spending package advanced by Democrats in a move that could precipitate the dual fiscal crises of a government shutdown and an unprecedented US default on its colossal debt obligations.

The House has approved a combined stopgap funding measure that would keep the federal government open until early December and suspend the debt limit until after the 2022 midterm elections, sending the legislation to the Senate.