From left, Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair Roy Blunt of Missouri. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Senate Republicans blocked a measure to avert a federal default and fund the government. It ensures that political brinksmanship will intensify over the debt ceiling, bringing the US closer to potential economic chaos. Democrats could lift the ceiling on their own, but there's no guarantee of success. See more stories on Insider's business page. Senate Republicans led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked a measure on Monday evening that would have averted both a debt default and a government shutdown, bringing the US another step closer to a financial debacle as Republicans escalate efforts to derail President Joe Biden's domestic agenda.All 50 GOP senators voted against the House-approved legislation that suspends the debt ceiling until December 2022 and funds the government through December 3, heightening the brinksmanship over the federal government's ability to pay its bills that has roiled Congress for months.