The outcome was widely expected after Democrats and Republicans released dueling bills. Congress is under pressure to address health care costs before federal subsidies lapse at the end of the year.

The Republican plan would have replaced the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare) subsidies with new savings accounts, while Democrats wanted to extend the enhanced ACA tax credits for three years without changes. Both lacked the bipartisan support needed to pass, and both sides blamed each other for failing to find common ground.

A rival GOP plan funding health accounts also fell short of advancing, leaving no clear path ahead.

The Senate rejected two health care bills, as the U.S. barrels toward a cliff with steep premium hikes for millions of Americans on Obamacare.

A bipartisan group of senators is making a renewed push toward finding a health care solution as the hour-glass winds down to the end-of-month deadline to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.

Competing Democratic and Republican proposals are expected to fail, setting up higher insurance costs and a key midterm election issue.

The Senate is expected to vote on a GOP health care proposal that aims to put money in health savings accounts, alongside a Democratic bill to extend expiring ACA tax credits.