Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Both of Mississippi's U.S. senators voted Friday against legislation to fund the federal government through mid-November.

The measure did not include provisions that Republicans wanted, to block funding from the 2010 federal health overhaul law.

Mississippi Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, both Republicans, issued statements Friday saying they want to repeal the health law that they consider expensive and intrusive.

"As the negative impacts of this law become more apparent, people in my state of Mississippi have expressed a great deal of concern about how the law is affecting their families and businesses," Cochran said. "They have articulated a pronounced unease about the costs of the law, and the extent to which the federal government will be involved in their personal health care decisions. I share their concerns."

Both said a government shutdown would not stop the health care law.

"Some have made the assertion that a vote to fund the government equals a vote for Obamacare," Wicker said. "Nothing could be further from the truth. Senate Republicans are united in our opposition to the health care law."

The government funding measure passed the Democratic-controlled Senate. The 54-44 vote was split along party lines — Democrats for, Republicans against.

But, the measure was expected to die in the Republican-controlled House, meaning a partial government shutdown is still possible early next week. The House will be in session this weekend.

Earlier Friday, Cochran and Wicker both voted for a procedural move to let the Senate consider a House measure that would've taken some money from the health law. The measure was changed, on an amendment by Majority Leader Harry Reid, to restore funding for the health law. After that came the 54-44 party-lines vote to send the government funding measure to the House.