Hard-line Republicans in the US House of Representatives tonight rejected their leader's bill to temporarily fund the government, making it almost certain that federal agencies will partially shut down starting as early as tomorrow.

By a vote of 232 to 198, the House of Representatives rejected a measure that would have extended government funding for 30 days and prevented a shutdown. That bill was supposed to cut spending and limit immigration, Republican priorities that had little chance of passing the Democratic-controlled Senate.

The defeat left Republicans — who control the House of Representatives (221-212 seats) — without a clear strategy for avoiding the shutdown, which would close national parks, freeze pay for about four million federal employees and disrupt everything from financial oversight to scientific research, unless continued government funding is provided.

After the vote, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said the House could still vote to continue funding without the conservative policies that alienated Democrats. But he refused to say what will happen next. The House is expected to hold additional votes today.

- Failure is only if you give up, McCarthy told reporters.